Jarvis Landry’s Consecutive Games Streak Factored in to His Hip Surgery Decision
He’s not the biggest. Nor is he the fastest. Some would argue he’s not even the best on his own team. But when it comes to Jarvis Landry, there is no doubt that he is one of the NFL’s most consistent wide receivers.
Part of that consistency lies in his availability. The man never misses games.
In fact, since entering the league in 2014, Landry has played in 96 consecutive games. Whether he was playing in the blistering heat in Miami or the frigid winters in Cleveland, the former LSU star finds a way to stay on the field.
Unfortunately for Landry, a nagging hip injury finally got the best of him. After the Pro Bowl, the former second-round pick finally decided to undergo surgery that could jeopardize his well-respected streak.
Landry set personal best in receiving yards despite injuries
To say the Browns underachieved in 2019 would be an understatement. Expectations were through the roof after the team reunited Landry with Odell Beckham Jr. And with Baker Mayfield expected to take the year-two jump, the Super Bowl hype in Cleveland was contagious.
From Beckham’s lack of immediate impact to Myles Garrett’s infamous helmet swing, everything that could have gone wrong in Cleveland essentially did.
However, the one constant was Landry.
Despite having to share targets with his former college teammate, Landry actually set a career-high with 1,174 receiving yards. He also set a new personal best with 14.1 yards per reception—a full 3.1 yards above his career average. He also led the Browns in receptions (83) and touchdowns (six).
Though his team came up short, Landry’s individual performance earned him a fifth-consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
Production has come at the price of winning
Ultimately, Landry’s individual success was once again overshadowed by another losing season.
In his six-year career, Landry has had the unfortunate habit of playing for bad teams. During his tenure with the Dolphins, Landry enjoyed just one winning season. And fittingly, that 2016 playoff campaign ended with a first-round exit at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So far, it hasn’t been better up north.
Landry’s first season in Cleveland included yet another productive stat line: 81 catches for 976 yards and four touchdowns. It also included Hue Jackson getting fired and the team finishing with a 7-8-1 record.
Last season ended in similarly frustrating fashion. Cleveland stumbled out of the gate, Freddie Kitchens got fired and the Browns finished 6-10. Once again, Landry spent the playoffs as a spectator rather than a participant.
Landry’s decision to push surgery till offseason could keep his streak intact
Perhaps in a display of his toughness, Landry avoided addressing his nagging hip injury throughout the season.
He could have shut it down, especially after the Browns were eliminated from playoff contention. However, he chose to fight through the pain and preserve his consecutive games streak.
Eventually it had to be handled.
Landry underwent surgery to repair his nagging hip.
According to the Pro Bowl receiver, he faces a six- to eight-month recovery period. Looking ahead at the calendar, he expects to be back by early August.
No one can predict how the body will heal. But if his hip is as strong as his mind, there should be no doubt that Landry will be ready to go at the beginning of the 2020 NFL season.
