BEREA: Browns tight end Steve Heiden might not like the way his year is going.

Returning from offseason back surgery for the start of training camp Wednesday, Heiden, a nine-year veteran, left the field during Saturday morning's practice with what coach Romeo Crennel said was a twisted knee.

Heiden observed the evening session with a wrap on his left knee, but did not appear to be walking in extreme pain.

Starting his seventh year with the Browns, Heiden could play an important role this season. With third receiver Joe Jurevicius out indefinitely after undergoing four surgeries on his right knee, tight end Kellen Winslow could line up more at receiver, leaving more playing time for Heiden. He's started six games each of the past two years.

''To me Steve's one of the most valuable players on our offense,'' coordinator Rob Chudzinski said. ''He's flexible. He's a great team player, very unselfish. He'll do whatever it takes to help us win, whether that's catch passes, block, do the dirty work, line up and play fullback, split out as a wide receiver or as a tight end.''

Heiden wasn't the only player who was dinged Saturday. Guard Seth McKinney sprained his right ankle in the morning. In the afternoon, fullback Lawrence Vickers spent some time with the trainers and receiver Kevin Kasper rode the bike.

Receiver Donte' Stallworth (hamstring) participated in individual drills for the first time in camp. Guard Rex Hadnot (ankle) returned to full practice after sitting out Friday. Running back Jason Wright (hamstring) remained sidelined.

Crennel also started to rest some veterans. Winslow sat in the morning, and linebacker Willie McGinest, defensive linemen Robaire Smith and Corey Williams and running back Jamal Lewis were given the evening off.

Bouncing back

Getting manhandled by its own defense might have been a good wake-up call for the offense. There were no interceptions thrown Saturday, although McGinest dropped a Derek Anderson pass in the morning and defensive back Mike Adams should have picked off a Brady Quinn pass in the evening.

Quinn threw three interceptions and fumbled a snap Friday.

''There was more focus on their part and it looked like the execution was better,'' Crennel said after the morning work. ''They were able to make some plays, even though most of them were in the running game. They were hitting on more cylinders than they were yesterday.''

Among the best plays of the morning were Anderson's rainbow toss to Braylon Edwards, Lewis' 7-yard run through a gap between left tackle Joe Thomas and left guard Eric Steinbach, and Anderson's touch pass to tight end Brad Ciesiak. Kicker Phil Dawson ended it with a 50-yard field goal.

In the evening, Winslow pulled in a beauty along the sideline from Anderson with linebacker Kamerion Wimbley defending, receiver Travis Wilson went up over defensive back Damon Jenkins, Edwards made a great scoop of an Anderson throw and rookie receiver Lance Leggett grabbed a Ken Dorsey pass, pulling it in when the ball stuck under his arm. There was a scare when Winslow leaped over cornerback Brandon McDonald for an Anderson pass, but dropped it when he hit the ground and stayed down for a couple minutes.

Today's schedule

Practice is slated for 2:30-4:30 p.m. Call 1-877-6BROWNS for updates.