Browns coach Pat Shurmur: DE Marcus Benard expected to be released from hospital today

Browns coach Pat Shurmur met with reporters this morning before practice. The Browns will visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Here are some of the highlights from the news conference:

• Defensive end Marcus Benard, who was in a motorcycle accident Monday, is expected to be released from the Cleveland Clinic today, Shurmur said. When asked whether the organization will pay Benard when he's on the reserve non-football injury list, Shurmur declined to comment. Shurmur acknowledged some of Benard's teammates could be shaken by his accident. "I think it's a real-life reminder that risky behavior can happen," Shurmur said. ... "It wasn't a good event. It wasn't something that you want to have happen. But you sit back and say, 'Wow. If it can happen to him, it can happen to me.'" After Shurmur's news conference ended, defensive coordinator Dick Jauron met with reporters and reflected on losing Benard for the season. "So devastating for the young man to go through that," Jauron said. "Really he was just starting to get back from preseason injuries and setbacks and those kind of things, so it's a big disappointment. Again, (I'm) very disappointed for him and for us. Thankful that he's still with us."


• Cornerback Joe Haden (sprained knee) and center Alex Mack (appendectomy on Oct. 3) are both progressing, but they won't practice today, Shurmur said. There's a chance Haden and Mack could play Sunday even if they don't practice at all this week, Shurmur said. Jauron said "it would be a big blow obviously" if Haden can't face the Raiders.


• Running back Peyton Hillis "is gonna get the bulk of the carries" against the Raiders, Shurmur said.