Camp bumps and bruises adding up

08.07.2007

The normal bumps and bruises of training camp are beginning to take a small but noticeable toll on the Cleveland Browns.

Linebacker Willie McGinest was absent from practice for the second consecutive day Tuesday and left guard Eric Steinbach left practice after falling on his knee, adding to a growing list of minor injuries stemming from training camp

McGinest flew to Los Angeles Tuesday to have a doctor evaluate a back issue.

Steinbach, meanwhile, left the practice field with Browns trainer Marty Lauzon after the first period of team drills and did not return to the field.

"I would say he bruised (his knee), but I haven't looked at it," head coach Romeo Crennel said.

Luckily there is still more than a month until the team's season opener against Pittsburgh on September 9. If Steinbach misses any time during the preseason however, he'll be surrendering the crucial opportunity to gel with the other members of the Browns' revamped offensive line in a game situation.

Backup Lennie Friedman stepped in for the Browns in Steinbach's place.

Listed as the second-team center behind Hank Fraley, Friedman also plays both guard positions. He started a pair of games, one at left guard and one at right, in '06. He appeared in all 16 games in total.

"That's my job," Friedman said. "That's what I'm here to do."

Friedman came to the Browns via a trade fromChicago following training camp a year ago after the team's center position was decimated by injuries and the sudden retirement of Bob Hallen.

He was re-signed by the club to a one-year deal on March 21.

"It feels good to feel like you were appreciated for what you did," he said. "And the fact that they brought you back and wanted you to play for them, it's a good feeling."

As for the team's other injuries, Tim Carter missed practice Tuesday with a thumb injury -- his second injury of training camp so far -- while linebacker Matt Stewart was absent to be evaluated for a shoulder injury that has kept him out of several days of practice.

Kenny Wright, who was listed as one of theteam's starting cornerbacks on a depth chart released Monday, has missed practice the last couple days with a groin injury.

Fellow cornerback DeMario Minter (foot) and offensive lineman Isaac Sowells (concussion) also missed practice, along with rookie running back Jerome Jackson (leg) and offensive lineman Andrew Hoffman (elbow).

"As these injuries begin to mount up that's a little concern as you look at things going into a game," Crennel said. "So far all the players on this team have shown that they work very hard to try and get back and to rehab injuries.

"I feel good about them working to get back out there on the field."

Defensive lineman Orpheus Roye underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on August 2 but is expected to be back for the team's regular season opener against Pittsburgh on Sept. 9.

Browns cornerback Gary Baxter, meanwhile, has continued to rehab since coming off the physically unable to perform list, appearing at select practices with the team. So far, he has taken part in solely individual drills. He was on the field and participated Tuesday.

Despite the troubles, this year's injuries are a significant improvement on the situation from 2006 Training Camp. At this point a year ago, the club had already lost center LeCharles Bentley and cornerback Daylon McCutcheon (at that time unknowingly) for the season, and suffered minor injuries to several others.