Friday, September 06, 2002
Injuries piling up for Browns
NFL notebook
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
BEREA, Ohio — As their starting quarterback stood to the side watching, the starting running back was off at the hospital getting more X-rays.
Three days before their opener, this wasn't the game plan the Cleveland Browns had in mind.
On Thursday, quarterback Tim Couch rested his sore right arm by not throwing a pass during the team's two-hour workout, increasing the likelihood that backup Kelly Holcomb will start Sunday's opener against Kansas City.
Meanwhile, rookie William Green, the first-round draft pick being counted on to improve the Browns' running game, was at the Cleveland Clinic being examined for an unspecified problem.
Browns coach Butch Davis refused to elaborate on Green's condition but said he expected him to practice Friday.
“He got a little bit stiff and sore,” Davis said. “We wanted to do a quick check on him, so he should be fine.”
Asked where Green felt stiff and sore, Davis replied sharply: “That's not a question that I think you should ask.”
The Browns have been cautious all week with Couch, and limited him to throwing only short passes on Monday and Wednesday. In the half-hour of practice Thursday that was open to the media, Couch threw one pass — a left-handed lob.
Couch has been downgraded on the injury report from probable to questionable — perhaps the clearest sign yet that Holcomb will start on Sunday.
“We'll judge Tim's progress throughout the rest of Friday and Saturday and Sunday and see how he's throwing,” Davis said. “The morning of the game we'll take him on the field. And we'll see. And he'll tell us. The doctors have told us that his level of discomfort is the only barometer that we have.”
Green has dealt with nagging injuries almost from the moment the Browns selected him with the 16th overall pick in this year's draft.
He missed four of the five minicamp practices this spring with a sore calf. He sat out during the club's quarterback school with a groin injury, then was sidelined for part of training camp with a shoulder injury — after he reported late following a contract holdout.
Green's mysterious ailment is the latest obstacle for the Browns, who lost Pro Bowl linebacker Jamir Miller for the season when he tore his Achilles' tendon during the exhibition opener.
Couch had hoped to throw on Thursday after seriously testing his arm Wednesday by throwing the ball farther and with more velocity than he had since hurting it in an Aug. 26 exhibition game at Green Bay.
Davis stressed that Couch's injury is not serious and said he's been encouraged by what he's seen from him this week.
“I don't see anything as being a negative,” Davis said. “I see it on track. Obviously, would I have loved for him to be out here throwing BB's for 65 yards? Sure.
“My feelings are that he is making progress. It may not be at the pace that a lot of people would like it to be, but I think he's getting better.”
Little hopes to play in season opener
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis doesn't know yet whether it will have defensive end Leonard Little, the Rams' top pass rusher, for the season opener at Denver.
Little, who was second in the NFL with 14 1/2 sacks last season, has been sidelined with a deep thigh bruise that was drained of blood last week and is listed as questionable.
He did individual work on Wednesday and some team work on Thursday, and was hoping to be a full participant in Friday's practice.
“It's going to be mostly on my part, how effectively I can move around and how fast I can get off the ball and stuff like that,” Little said Thursday. “If my body won't let me, I can't do it.”
Pain apparently is not a factor in his prospective return. Rather, the issue is tightness in the thigh.
“With that kind of injury, it's hard to get your muscles loose to run,” he said.
Coach Mike Martz was encouraged by Little's progress and the fact there wasn't increased swelling after Wednesday's practice.
“He wants to play, obviously,” Martz said. “I would anticipate that we'd have him in some capacity or another. I'm not sure how much.”
If Little can't go, it's unclear who would replace him at left end. John Burrough is listed as the backup at that position, but the Rams also could juggle their line and put a tackle on the outside.
Martz, who closed practices to the media the first three weeks of the season, wouldn't say what his contingency plans were.
“I don't know,” he said. “We'll see. I know, but that is probably something I wouldn't want to discuss right now.”
Another Texans lineman injured
HOUSTON — Houston Texans starting left guard Ryan Schau sprained his knee Thursday, and his status for Sunday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys is uncertain.
Coach Dom Capers said if Schau can't play, backup DeMingo Graham will start at left guard.
It was another blow to the team's offensive line. Starting tackle Tony Boselli is doubtful with a shoulder injury and tackle Ryan Young is out after groin surgery.
“There's no question, we've had to play musical chairs in the offensive line but that's the nature of the business,” Capers said. “You can't use that as an excuse. You pick up and move on and do the best you can.”
Patriots re-sign Buckley
FOXBORO, Mass. — Cornerback Terrell Buckley, cut by Tampa Bay on Sunday, re-signed with the New England Patriots on Thursday.
Buckley had 25 tackles and three interceptions in 15 games for the Patriots last season before leaving as an unrestricted free agent. In 10 seasons with Denver, Miami, Green Bay and New England, Buckley has averaged 39 tackles and four interceptions.
Vincent injures knee in practice
PHILADELPHIA — Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent could miss the Philadelphia Eagles' opener Sunday against Tennessee after injuring his left knee in practice Thursday.
Vincent was injured on a non-contact play and left the field on his own. He underwent an MRI, and was diagnosed with a bone bruise. His status is day-to-day.
“He's going to get treatment over the next couple of days,” coach Andy Reid said. “We know that there is no one who wants to play more than Troy Vincent, but we must see, first and foremost, how his knee heals.”
Vincent also hurt his knee on the Thursday before last year's opener against St. Louis. He returned to play against the Rams.
If Vincent doesn't start Sunday, he'll be replaced by Al Harris.
Dolphins' Smith undergoes surgery
MIAMI — Miami Dolphins tackle Brent Smith underwent reconstructive knee surgery Thursday and will miss the NFL season.
Smith had surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament and repair a tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee. He was hurt in an exhibition game Aug. 24 at Houston.
He also missed all of last season with an injury to his left knee.
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Injuries piling up for Browns
