Vincent Frank
The Cleveland Browns signed veteran wide receiver Marquise Goodwin this past offseason to help provide quarterback Deshaun Watson with some more speed in the passing game.
An Olympic-level athlete, Goodwin has shown himself to a major threat at times during his 10-year NFL career.
Unfortunately, the former Texas star is dealing with a potentially significant health problem that’s not related to football.
Cleveland announced on Friday that Goodwin will start Browns training camp on the non-football illness list. The 32-year-old receiver started to feel discomfort in his legs and shortness of breath during organized team activities this past spring. A follow-up exam showed that he has blood clots in his lungs and legs.
“It was really alarming at first because I’ve experienced injury throughout my career, but it’s never been anything like this that could turn into something detrimental if it’s not taken care of,” Goodwin said, via the Cleveland Browns’ official website. “It was frightening at first, but now I’m at ease with it. I’ve prayed and just given it over to God. It’s out of my control, and the only thing I can control is my effort and attitude and how I approach each day moving forward.”
The good news here is that it looks like Goodwin got the medical attention he needed before his condition worsened.
From an on-field perspective, it’s not yet known when Goodwin will be able to return to the practice field. Though, that plays second-fiddle to his overall health right now.
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Marquise Goodwin stats: 187 receptions, 3,023 yards, 18 TD
Goodwin’s best season came when he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers back in 2017. The speedy receiver hauled in 56 receptions for 962 yards that season. This past year saw him put up 27 catches for 387 yards and four touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks.
“It’s one of those things that is totally out of my control, out of the doctor’s control and out of the trainer’s control,” Goodwin told reporters on Friday. “It’s really an unfortunate deal we have to deal with, but we need to deal with it in the proper fashion. The Browns are doing everything in their power to support me through it by allowing me to be around the team, on the field and in meetings.
