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Jurevicius out for six weeks. Bears game might be last chance for Steptoe, Wilson, Sanders
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
BEREA: The Browns' search for a third receiver might go down to Thursday's final preseason game and perhaps even the waiver wire.
The Browns' offseason plan, which lasted until late June, was officially scuttled Tuesday when they placed 10-year veteran Joe Jurevicius on the physically unable to perform list and Kevin Kasper on injured reserve.
Jurevicius, 33, a Cleveland native, was slated for the No. 3 spot behind Braylon Edwards and Donte' Stallworth. Jurevicius must miss at least the first five games of the regular season. He's undergone four surgeries on his right knee since January, three to clean out a staph infection, the last on June 30.
Kasper, a former walk-on at Iowa who has played for five NFL teams and been with nine since 2001, suffered a concussion and neck injury Saturday against the Detroit Lions. The journeyman drew raves with his slashing style going over the middle during offseason training activities and minicamp. But he suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly all of training camp.
Jurevicius will be forced to sit out six weeks (including the Oct. 5 bye) and cannot return to practice until at least Oct. 14, preceding the Browns' Oct. 19 game at the Washington
Redskins. The Browns would then have a three-week window to evaluate him and once he started practice, another three weeks to determine his roster status.
He has been seen driving away from the Browns' facility, but has not talked to the media since June 11. Jurevicius vowed then he would be ready for training camp and play this season.
''He is not ready to play right now,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. ''He feels good about being able to rehab and come along, so we are giving him a little bit more time to get ready. Only time will tell.
''After the sixth week, that window opens up, so we will see where he is at that time and make a decision. If we didn't think he could play, then he wouldn't be on [physically unable to perform].''
A host of youngsters have gotten playing time in the wake of injuries to Jurevicius, Kasper, Edwards (stitches in right foot) and Joshua Cribbs (high ankle sprain). But Thursday's preseason finale at home against the Chicago Bears will be the last chance for Travis Wilson, Steve Sanders and Syndric Steptoe to prove they could be No. 3.
Sanders, a Cleveland native, and Steptoe, a seventh-round pick in 2007, both spent last year on the practice squad. Steptoe might have already earned a roster spot with his kick-return skills. Wilson, a third-rounder in 2006, might be fighting for his future with the Browns.
The final roster cut to 53 is Saturday and conceivably Sanders, Steptoe and Wilson could be fighting for two of five receiver spots.
''That is one of the spots that will be up for grabs and how they play this game will impact that,'' Crennel said of the No. 3 spot. ''We all know who the candidates are, they all have been working, and they have all shown up at times. After the game, we will decide which one we think gives us the best chance.''
Crennel didn't rule out the possibility of adding a veteran receiver if he could help ''pretty much right away.''
Is that D.A.?
Quarterback Derek Anderson came out at the start of Tuesday's practice for light running and stretching and threw the ball for a few minutes. It was the first time he's been spotted since suffering a concussion Aug. 18 against the New York Giants.
Crennel said he doubted Anderson would play against the Bears and that backup Brady Quinn would go ''maybe a half.''
Injury update
Crennel said running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), strong safety Sean Jones (swollen knee) and Anderson would be back to practice on Monday and that free safety Brodney Pool (concussion) and Edwards should also return next week. The Browns open the regular season Sept. 7 at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
Law on the radar?
Crennel didn't rule out the Browns' interest in free-agent cornerback Ty Law, 34, a five-time Pro Bowler who played for Crennel with the New England Patriots. General manager Phil Savage has maintained that Law is too expensive for the Browns, but if Crennel's comments are any indication, he'd like to have more help in the secondary.
''We are serious about everybody we consider and I think Ty is a consideration,'' Crennel said. ''Only time will tell with that one. There are a lot of things that go into it, what we think about the guys we have and things like that. Sometimes finances get involved. So you just take each situation differently and day by day and see.''
Brownies
Waived to reach the 75-man roster limit were defensive lineman Brian Schaefering and running back Austin Scott. . . . The Browns will have a similar physically-unable-to-perform decision to make on right guard Ryan Tucker, who underwent hip surgery in May. If he's two or three weeks away from being ready, he might be carried on the roster. ''We've added more to his load,'' Crennel said. ''I think this week is critical for him as far as that load goes.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: The Browns' search for a third receiver might go down to Thursday's final preseason game and perhaps even the waiver wire.
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