Injured Browns progressing

08.14.2007

Head Coach Romeo Crennel provided updates on several injured players following practice Tuesday morning.

Crennel said linebacker Willie McGinest, who had back surgery last week and is slated to be out for about six weeks total, is in Los Angeles rehabbing.

He'll return to Cleveland next week.

"On a back surgery you don't want to be flying cross country and having to sit for that amount of time," Crennel said. "So they waned to give him a week so he could begin to heal before he got on a plane to go across the country."

Fellow linebacker Andra Davis missed practice Monday with an ankle injury. Tuesday morning he took part in individual drills but sat out team drills. Crennel didn't make the injury sound serious.

"He's out there and trying to do a little bit," Crennel said. "He hasn't been inside or anything like that. When the ankle gets ready he'll be back."

Meanwhile Crennel said left guard Eric Steinbach, who suffered a knee injury last week, was inside Tuesday riding an elliptical machine and rehabbing.

General Manager Phil Savage said last week Steinbach is expected to be out at least two weeks.

Also inside rehabbing Tuesday morning were cornerback Gary Baxter (knees) and defensive lineman Orpheus Roye (knee).

Baxter took part in portions of team drills for the first time Monday since suffering patellar tendon injuries in both knees last October.

Roye, meanwhile, had surgery to clean out his right knee during the first week of camp. He's expected to be back for the regular season.

McGinest, Roye, and likely Steinbach are out for Saturday's preseason game against the Lions. Crennel did not say whether there's a chance Davis or Baxter could play.

"Those guys are doing okay and are working to try to get back," Crennel said.