Browns notes: Offensive linemen still hurting
Brian Dulik | The Chronicle-Telegram
BEREA — Browns left guard Eric Steinbach may miss a second straight game with an injured shoulder, but the team won’t be able to plug Ryan Tucker into his spot Sunday in Cincinnati.
Tucker, who split last season between right guard and right tackle, said he is aiming to make his season debut in Cleveland’s Oct. 13 game against the New York Giants. The valuable veteran has been sidelined since undergoing hip surgery on May 17.
“I’m just working my way back into it, slowly but surely, doing what I can,” Tucker said Wednesday. “It’s not too bad. I go through my little battles, get a little pop. I’m working it out and I’m getting close.”
Team officials had been tight-lipped on Tucker’s status since he returned to practice full-time last week, but he revealed his goal of playing after the Browns’ bye in two weeks.
“Uh, yeah. I’m not supposed to say anything,” the 33-year-old said after spilling the beans. “It’s day by day … yeah.”
Steinbach had a streak of 65 consecutive starts snapped last week because of a shoulder injury he suffered against Pittsburgh on Sept. 14. Though broadcast reports claimed his rotator cuff had been compromised, Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said he is not concerned about Steinbach’s long-term status.
“He’s got weakness in that shoulder,” he said. “It’s more muscular (the rotator cuff is comprised of four muscles that control rotation). When the muscle gets stronger, then he will play. If it’s not this week, it should be next week.”
If Steinbach cannot go against the Bengals, utility lineman Seth McKinney will fill in for the second game in a row. The Browns allowed four sacks in his first start Sunday in Baltimore, giving them eight this season.
“You can’t look back and say you wish Eric was here,” center Hank Fraley said. “We have guys who can step in and play well, and Seth’s done it.”
Crennel vs. Jim Brown
Crennel brushed off the comments made by Browns executive adviser Jim Brown, who said the entire front office believed it was time for Brady Quinn to take over at quarterback. “Jim has been speaking out ever since I got here,” the coach said, laughing. “Jim has an opinion just like everyone else has an opinion. Jim told me the same thing before it came out in the paper. That’s not saying it’s right or wrong. It is what it is. But my decision is what it is.”
Players talking
The players-only meeting Monday in Berea was scheduled well in advance, according to Anderson. “We meet every Monday, so it’s nothing different for us,” he said. “We started doing it last season.” Crennel said he likes the idea of the team getting together without coaches present. “They have a chance to talk to each other, to pull the unit together, to go forward and eliminate any dissension,” he said, quickly adding that he hasn’t seen any dissension on the Browns.
Injury update
Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (shoulder) did not practice, but is expected to play against the Bengals. Also sitting out were linebackers Kris Griffin (calf) and Willie McGinest (hamstring), safety Sean Jones (knee) and tight end Martin Rucker (knee). Wide receivers Braylon Edwards (shoulder) and Donte Stallworth (quadriceps) were both limited.
• For Cincinnati, safety Dexter Jackson (thumb) will not play. Defensive tackle John Thornton (knee), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (ankle) and safety Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring) did not practice. Cornerbacks Jamar Fletcher (illness) and David Jones (knee), safety Nedu Ndukwe (groin) and tight end Ben Utecht (chest) were all limited.
Contact Brian Dulik at (330)-721-4059 or brisports@hotmail.com.
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Filed by Brian Dulik | The Chronicle-Telegram September 25th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 1% |
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