The Browns are hoping that defensive lineman Desmond Bryant will be “better than ever,” after he underwent a procedure two weeks ago to correct his persistent irregular heartbeat.
Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said he’s talked to Bryant since the Dec. 6 cardiac ablation, and was convinced that he’ll come back as good as new. Bryant had several episodes of irregular heartbeats and was hospitalized, and Chudzinski said that might have affected him even after he came back to play.
“I have talked to Desmond, and I’ve seen him a number of times afterward,” Chudzinski said, via Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “He’s doing fine, and he’s excited because obviously, it was something that was on his mind and he was concerned about, but it’s past him now with that procedure being done. He’s expected to be back 100 percent and better than ever.
“From a mental standpoint, did that affect him? I know he was concerned about it so maybe it did. I don’t know. I can’t say that.”
Bryant underwent a cardiac ablation, in which a catheter is inserted into the heart to destroy a small area of tissue which causes rapid and irregular heartbeats.
Early in the season, he was perhaps the best player on a good defense, after coming over from Oakland on a five-year, $34 million contract. Whether the dip in his play was connected to other nagging injuries, the hope is that he no longer has to worry about his heart, which should ease his mind.