Browns bring back Jackson

Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson signed a one-year contract that could pay him just over $4.5 million including incentives, according to a league source.

A second-round pick in 2006 who was the Browns' leading tackler in 2007 and '08, Jackson missed all of last season after tearing his right pectoral on Aug. 10. He missed 10 games in 2009 after undergoing surgery on his left pectoral.

 General manager Tom Heckert said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine that Jackson is better suited to play middle linebacker in the Browns' new 4-3 defense under coach Pat Shurmur and coordinator Dick Jauron than he was for the 3-4 scheme of former coach Eric Mangini and coordinator Rob Ryan.

"I think he is and I think D’Qwell feels that way,'' Heckert said. "I’m not speaking for D’Qwell. I’ve talked to him about that in the past. I think he can play either one. I don’t think he’s a non-fit in a 3-4, but a 4-3’s probably better for him.

"He’s not a huge guy inside. The outside guys are different guys in the 3-4. He’s really not an outside linebacker in a 3-4. In a 4-3, he can probably play Mike or Will. He’s just better suited, body-type.''

Jackson stands 6-feet and 240 pounds. He was a co-captain in 2009.