Browns notes: Winslow says sprained shoulder won’t keep him out of Sunday’s game
Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram
BEREA — Tight end Kellen Winslow lined up with the starters Friday in the 30 minutes of practice open to reporters, and looked ready for Sunday’s visit by the Houston Texans.
Winslow was limited in practice and listed as questionable on the official injury report, but said he was ready to play. He walked through the locker room before practice testing his sprained right shoulder with the swim moves he uses to get away from defenders. During practice he reached high to catch multiple passes.
Coach Romeo Crennel said range of motion and strength in the shoulder were the two areas in which Winslow needed to prove he was OK to play.
Winslow, who played through a separated left shoulder for most of 2007, played 36 straight games after returning in 2006 from a motorcycle accident before missing a game in October with a staph infection. He’s also battled a sore knee since the accident.
“That’s one guy I’m never worried about,” receiver Braylon Edwards said. “That’s one guy that you can count on.”
Fellow tight end Steve Heiden (elbow) didn’t practice Friday and was listed as questionable. Darnell Dinkins would see increased repetitions if Winslow or Heiden couldn’t go.
Injury story: Part II
Defensive end Shaun Smith didn’t practice this week and was listed as doubtful. Louis Leonard and Santonio Thomas would see increased time.
• Safety Sean Jones (ankle), running back Jerome Harrison (hamstring) and fullback Lawrence Vickers (ankle) were limited, listed as questionable and will likely be game-time decisions.
Jones said he rolled the ankle trying to block Monday night on Andra Davis’ interception return. Harrison had a 72-yard touchdown last week and likely would’ve been in line for more carries if he hadn’t pulled the hamstring making a cut on a 21-yard catch.
“I wouldn’t say frustrating,” he said. “Injuries are part of the game. I’m trying my hardest to come back this week.”
• Quarterback Brady Quinn (finger) and running back Jason Wright (stinger) were listed as probable, along with defensive end Corey Williams (shoulder) and guard Eric Steinbach (oblique).
• For the Texans, everyone except quarterback Matt Schaub (out, knee) is expected to play.
Where there’s Will
Special teamer Joshua Cribbs hung out with actor Will Smith on Thursday night at a movie premiere in Cleveland.
“He’s down-to-earth, basically like he acted on his show, real comical,” Cribbs said. “He was so warm. He was giving autographs and security was trying to stop him and he was still doing it on his way out.
“It’s nice to see a person being successful who’s that way in person.”
The movie is “Seven Pounds.”
“It was really good. A lot of people were crying,” Cribbs said.
Was he crying?
“No. Rucker was, though,” he said of rookie tight end Martin Rucker. “I had to send some tissue down there to him.”
Cavaliers star LeBron James also attended.
Willie Mac on track
Outside linebacker Willie McGinest looks re-energized in his 15th season. He’s played in eight of 10 games — he missed weeks 3 and 4 with a hamstring injury — and has 37 tackles.
“He’s played with tremendous effort, is very, very physical against the run and has gotten some rush in the pass game,” defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. “He’s been very productive for us this year.”
The coaches hoped to use McGinest in a rotation, but a season-ending injury to Antwan Peek has meant extensive time for McGinest.
“He’s out there quite a bit,” Tucker said. “That’s a credit to him, because of his production.”
Andre’s homecoming
Houston receiver/kick returner Andre Davis — who played three seasons for the Browns from 2002-2004 — is expected back to face his former team. Davis missed the last four games with a broken finger, but was listed as probable on the injury report. He has seven catches for 123 yards this year and 26 kickoff returns for 576 yards, a 22.2 average.
“I personally went over and threw him about 25 or 30 balls all over the place,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “He probably thought I was crazy and what was I doing over there. But I was just testing him out and I was impressed. I think he’ll be fine.”
Davis was a second-round pick of the Browns in 2002.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram November 22nd, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 3% |
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