Bentley placed on PUP list

08.28.2007

LeCharles Bentley's return will wait at least another six weeks.

The Browns center who suffered a torn patellar tendon during training camp in July 2006 was placed on the reserve-physically unable to perform list Tuesday.

"I felt LeCharles needed more time for me to have an opportunity to see him," head coach Romeo Crennel said. "By taking this extra time to rehab and get ready, and then in that window in October (after the six weeks) I can put him on the field and take a look at him, that gives him the best opportunity to show me how he has recovered."

The rules for the PUP list are as follows:

During the first six weeks of the regular season, players on Reserve/PUP are allowed to attend meetings and continue rehabilitation at the club facility, but are not eligible to practice with the club.

After the sixth week, the club has a three-week window (Weeks 7-9) to allow a player on Reserve/PUP to begin practicing with the club. Once the player begins practice, he can practice for three weeks before the club must make a decision as to his roster status.

At any point following the sixth week of the regular season through the expiration of the player's three week practice window, the club can add the player to the 53-man roster or place the player on Reserve-Injured. Additionally, at the expiration of the practice window, the club can allow the player to remain on Reserve/PUP for the remainder of the season.

Bentley has been participating in meetings with his teammates since training camp opened and has been on the field for a handful of practices, but hasn't yet been cleared by the Browns' medical staff to participate. Placing him on PUP frees up a roster spot and gives the Browns six to nine weeks to evaluate Bentley's rehab and progress.

Crennel said he and Bentley have met on a weekly basis since training camp began to discuss the center's status and are on the same page about the decision.

"I told him back and June, 'I'm not going to throw you out there just to throw you out there. I'm going to make sure in my mind that you're ready to go before I let you do everything,'" Crennel said. "So knowing that and being able to talk about it on a weekly basis, he understands where I'm coming from and the dilemma I'm faced with and he agrees with it."

The decision eliminates the possibility of Bentley returning immediately to the team or appearing in the opener against Pittsburgh on Sept. 9, but leaves open the chance he could join the club and play later in the year.

"His recovery is going well," Crennel said. "He's been in here working and he wants to play. He wants to play and he wants to play as a Brown. That's his goal and that's what he's shooting for and that's what we want for him. By putting him on PUP that gives him the best chance to do that."