BEREA, Ohio — The seasons of Browns starting left guard Eric Steinbach (disk) and third-down running back Brandon Jackson (toe) are in doubt because of their injuries, a source said Friday.
Both players could end up on injured reserve for the season depending on how their injuries progress over the next few days or week. The Browns must trim their roster from 90 to 80 on Tuesday and to 53 on Sept. 3. 
Steinbach, who suffered the injury in his back during practice Aug. 17, recently received a second opinion and is trying to determine whether or not to have surgery on the disk, the source said.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur indicated it's uncertain if Steinbach, who has started the past four seasons with the team at left guard, will be able to play this year.
"At this point, he's going through some treatments that we're hoping will get him back, and there's no real final call yet on whether he'll be back -- or when, actually," Shurmur said.
As for Jackson, Shurmur acknowledged he will be out "for an extended period."
Steinbach, a ninth-year pro, should have a better idea by Monday whether the treatments will be enough, or if he'll need the surgery. If he opts for the latter, he'll most likely go on injured reserve for the season. The loss of Steinbach would be a big blow for the Browns, because he has formed a formidable duo on the left side with four-time Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas.
If Steinbach is out, he'll most likely be replaced by rookie Jason Pinkston, a fifth-round pick who started at left guard Thursday night against the Eagles and graded out well. If Pinkston beats out a veteran such as John Greco for the job, the Browns would have two young starting guards in Pinkston and second-year player Shaun Lauvao.
"I'll tell you what, Jason Pinkston has made huge, huge strides in three-plus weeks," said Shurmur. "It's one thing to be out on the perimeter running routes as a rookie, but when you're in there in the thick of it, it's very challenging for those big guys. It takes development and seasoning, and I think he's making huge progress."
Jackson, who was signed as a free agent from Green Bay, suffered the toe injury during the second preseason game against the Lions and is wearing a cast. At first, the injury was described as turf toe, but now, Shurmur is calling it a more generic toe injury.
"I don't know the actual term for it," said Shurmur. "He does not have a broken toe, but it's going to take some time to settle down."
The Browns will continue to monitor Jackson to see if he can contribute at some point this season. If not, he'll also be a candidate for injured reserve.
Fortunately for the Browns, running back Montario Hardesty is on the mend and passed the first test of his surgically repaired left knee Thursday night in Philadelphia. Hardesty ran five times for 15 yards in one series in the first quarter before Shurmur sat him down.
"Hopefully I'll get a little more next week," said Hardesty after the game. "It was definitely a game to build on. It was fun getting back out there again. I feel fine."
In addition to the serious injuries to Steinbach and Jackson, backup middle linebacker Titus Brown suffered a high ankle sprain on the opening kickoff in Philadelphia and may be out for some time, according to Shurmur. Brown was on crutches after the game and most likely will miss several weeks. High ankle sprains are usually a two- to six-week injury.
The Browns were already a little thin at linebacker with Chris Gocong still recovering from his neck stinger.
But Shurmur said the Browns' many injuries are not out of the ordinary in this post-lockout preseason.
"The coaches that I interact with behind the scenes, I think we're all dealing with the same types of issues in terms of injuries," he said.
Source:
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/08/cleveland_browns_guard_eric_st.html
No comments:
Post a Comment