When will it all end?

Enough is enough already.

Isn’t it bad enough the Browns have taken up what seems to be permanent residence in National Football League purgatory for the last 18 seasons? What in the world did the city of Cleveland do to deserve boatloads of football bad luck since 1999?

Is it because the city was deprived of a professional football franchise for three seasons because the NFL didn’t have the guts in 1995 to prevent Art Modell from moving one of the league’s strongest and most successful franchises to Baltimore? Is that why?

Wasn’t least season’s 1-15 embarrassment enough? Apparently not.

Now that the Browns finally have a good college draft and it appears as though there is a sliver of light shining in the distance and it is not the light from an oncoming locomotive, misfortune pays yet another visit to 76 Lou Groza Blvd. in Berea.

Two days after beginning preparations for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at home Sunday, news tumbled out of Berea Wednesday that rookie defensive end Myles Garrett suffered what was later diagnosed as a high ankle sprain in practice when a teammate fell on the ankle during practice.

Garrett is a lot more than the top pick in the last draft. He was going to be the difference maker on the defensive line. That extra spark in a pass rush that was one of the feeblest in the NFL last season. 

In the short time he has been with the club, he has displayed a garrulous personality and become a strong voice. He said he was looking forward to getting up close and personal with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the opener. And while it’s still a little too early to call him a leader right now, many of the signs are there.

The front office and coaching staff won’t say it publicly, but the hopes are Garrett one day will become one of the faces of the franchise.

The next step is going out and proving himself on the field. Let his actions speak as loudly as his words. Lead by example. Traits he displayed prominently in the exhibition season. And now all that has been jolted temporarily with the ankle injury.

Once again this franchise is dealt a major setback just when it appeared the dark days were beginning to reveal some light. The darkest of the dark clouds have reappeared.

Fans of this team must wonder if this is this some sort of punishment dealt in periodic doses? Unfortunately, they are used to news such as this. They have become inured to the slings and arrows that have been hurled at this franchise for way too long. They almost expect it.

It is not known for certain how long Garrett will be sidelined. Guesses range anywhere from a month to as long as half the season, perhaps longer. High ankle sprains do not heal quickly.

According to reference.com, athletes who suffer high ankle sprains typically cannot return to playing for a period of up to seven weeks. According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), high ankle sprains require considerably more recovery time than typical ankle sprains.

A high ankle sprain, according to the AOFAS, occurs when high ankle ligaments suffer tearing and damage. Ligaments on the outside of the ankle are more commonly injured than high ankle ligaments. High ankle sprains are the result of a twisting injury, an external rotation, and are especially common in impact sports.

The ligaments involved, called syndesmotic ligaments, connect and stabilize the two bones in the lower leg, the tibia (shin bone) and fibula. According to physioworks.com, recovery time differs depending on the severity of the injury.

A grade 1 (mild) case can expect a healing time of about six weeks. Grade 2 (moderate) cases can result in a recovery time of anywhere from six to 12 weeks. Grade 3 (severe) cases – a complete rupture of ligaments – take anywhere from three to six months to heal.

Garrett is only 21 years old. It is said the young heal quickly. This will be a good litmus test.