CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter has been able to play through a high ankle sprain since suffering the injury in a Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
And despite the injury getting aggravated when Tretter was rolled up on in last week’s win over the Carolina Panthers at FirstEnergy Stadium, he expects to be on the field for Saturday night’s prime-time game at the Denver Broncos.
“That was probably one of the worst ones of the year where it took a while in the tent just wrapping it up and getting my bearings back,” Tretter said after Tuesday’s practice.
“I have kind of gone into every game so far just with the idea that I was not going to miss a play, and when that is no longer an option, then you just find a way to go back out there. That is kind of how I have gone into every game this year is just I am not going to miss a play. Just have to find a way to get through it.”
Although the pain in Tretter’s leg “varies” from day to day, the veteran blocker has pushed through to play in every one of the Browns’ seven games following the injury. And Tretter has done so without taking any kind of pain relief shots.
“Just pain tolerance. Just pain tolerance,” Tretter said. “In the tent, they just tape it up and it depends how it feels. Sometimes, I tell them to wrap it higher. Sometimes, I tell them to wrap it lower. It all kind of depends on the feel of what happens. No [shots].”
From teammates and coaches alike, Tretter has earned plenty of respect for his decision to play through the pain for a team that, despite a 5-7-1 record, remains “in the hunt” for a postseason berth.
“It just shows that guys want to do what they can to help the team win games,” defensive back Damarious Randall said. “Whenever you have guys like that in the locker room, it spreads. Guys will play through different types of bumps and bruises that will help us win games on Sundays.”
Linebacker Joe Schobert added, “It is huge obviously, especially for the center of your team to be going through something like that. With the importance of him being out there doing all of the stuff that he needs to do for the offensive line with communication and with Baker (Mayfield), it is huge in the fact that he is able to go out there, compete and add value to our team. He is a huge boost for the offense, and I think everyone appreciates what he is doing.”
In addition to a chance at the playoffs and wanting to be there for his teammates, Tretter has fought through the injury because he still finds the game enjoyable.
“I am still having fun,” Tretter said. “I think it is obviously painful sometimes, but it is still fun to be out there and play with a team, play with your brothers and go out there and battle.
“Obviously, we are having some really good results right now as a team, so that is something you want to be a part of. You want to be a part of turning this team and this organization around. That is why you keep playing.”
