Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

BEREA: Browns tight end Kellen Winslow has a 50-50 chance of playing Monday against the New York Giants after spending a second consecutive night in the Cleveland Clinic on Friday with an undisclosed illness.

Coach Romeo Crennel said Winslow was questionable for the nationally televised game, but he again refused to elaborate on Winslow's condition.

Crennel said Friday morning that Winslow was expected to be released from the hospital in the afternoon, but that changed later in the day.

''I'm not saying what kind of illness it is, what it is,'' Crennel said. ''I'm not a doctor. I've spoken with him. In some cases there's some privacy that's involved, so I'm not talking about his illness.

''His arms and legs are not falling off or anything like that, and he's truly questionable for the game.''

Winslow, a four-year veteran who played in his first Pro Bowl in February, has not practiced since Monday's light drills. The team had Tuesday off, and he fell ill on Wednesday morning.

''We may have him or we might not have him,'' Crennel said. ''We've got to plan both ways. He's truly 50-50. As soon as the medical people let us know something different, then we will let you know. Hopefully he'll be there.''

The Browns (1-3) hope to turn their season around against the defending Super Bowl champion Giants (4-0) but might face a tougher task without Winslow, who leads the Browns in receptions (19) and receiving yards (170) and has one touchdown. Backups Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins have one catch between them, that a 9-yarder by Heiden.

Winslow's teammates remain in the dark about why he was hospitalized.

Asked if he was worried about Winslow, Dinkins said, ''Worried? I don't really know what his situation is. I've talked to him. He said he's progressing. I hope he comes back because we need him.''

Heiden, a 10-year veteran, would be the starter if Winslow can't go.

''We do things differently,'' Heiden said. ''Obviously Kellen's a special player. I will never say that I can't do the things someone else can do. If it comes to that, I'll be ready.''

Dinkins said the Browns can still use their two-tight end formation, but Heiden said some of the game plan would have to be adjusted if Winslow doesn't play. Winslow frequently lines up at receiver, especially since No. 2 receiver Donte' Stallworth has missed four games with a strained quadriceps. Stallworth is probable for Monday.

Winslow has 195 receptions for 2,201 yards and nine touchdowns in four years for the Browns. Heiden's best season of his seven with the Browns was 2005, when he had 43 catches after Winslow needed reconstructive surgery on his right knee following a motorcycle accident. Heiden followed that up with 36 catches in 2006, then totaled just 12 a year ago.

Asked if he and Heiden would have to pick up the slack, Dinkins said, ''It's not picking up slack; it's doing your job.''

Tucker's return?

Ryan Tucker hopes to play in his first game Monday after undergoing surgery in May for a fractured hip. Most of his practice time has been at right tackle, where starter Kevin Shaffer is questionable with a concussion. Tucker is also listed as questionable.

''I'm excited to get an opportunity to get back on the field,'' Tucker said. ''Nothing's been said yet. I couldn't tell you one way or the other if I'm going to be starting or not. I'm as ready as I can be right now.''

If Tucker is at right tackle, he'll face a difficult matchup with Giants left end Justin Tuck, who has three sacks this season. Crennel called Tuck the Giants' ''most effective overall'' player on the defensive line. Tucker hasn't started at right tackle since Nov. 26, 2006, against the Cincinnati Bengals, with his eight starts in 2007 coming at right guard.

''Ryan Tucker is a competitive guy and he will represent himself well,'' Crennel said. ''His timing is not what it needs to be. He hasn't seen the kind of athletic ability that a Justin Tuck brings. He will have to understand where he needs to be with his balance. Usually when you face a speed rusher, you tend to over-set a little bit if you haven't been working on it and then the guy beats you inside. If you don't set wide enough the guy beats you around the corner. It might take a rep or two for him to get totally comfortable.''

Injury report

Also questionable are strong safety Sean Jones (knee) and defensive lineman Shaun Smith (hand surgery). Jones participated in part of practice for the first time since his Sept. 11 arthroscopic surgery. Also probable are safety Mike Adams (foot), defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (shoulder) and running back Jason Wright (knee). Shaffer and Smith have not practiced all week. For the Giants, linebacker Antonio Pierce (quad) is questionable.