Injured list grows; Quinn likely to start

08.20.2008

The Browns could be missing six starters for Saturday's preseason game at Detroit, including five who suffered injuries in the game at the Giants two nights ago.

Derek Anderson (concussion), Joshua Cribbs (ankle), Jamal Lewis (hamstring), Brodney Pool (concussion) and Willie McGinest (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, and Browns coach Romeo Crennel said after practice it's likely none of the five will play Saturday.

Brady Quinn took the reps with the first-team offense Wednesday and appears ready to make his first professional start.

Crennel didn't offer a timetable for any of the injuries. He said Anderson and Pool need rest and that Lewis' injury isn't major, but otherwise said the players will continue to be evaluated and will return to the field when they're healthy.

Based on his performance thus far, Syndric Steptoe will likely continue to handle the return duties when Cribbs can not. Gerard Lawson has followed Steptoe in that role over the first two preseason games.

Jason Wright will likely start at running back and Jerome Harrison should also get his share of carries with Lewis down. Behind those two are a pair of undrafted rookies, Travis Thomas and Austin Scott.

With Antwan Peek still recovering from knee surgery and McGinest now also sidelined, reps at left outside linebacker could be shared among a group that includes Shantee Orr, Alex Hall, David McMillan and Chase Ortiz.

Pool's injury leaves Mike Adams as his probable replacement at safety. Adams has also been playing as a nickel cornerback, as has Terry Cousin. Extra time with the first defense for Cousin could mean more time in the nickel and/or dime packages for A.J. Davis and Jereme Perry as well.

It remains to be seen if Travis Daniels, whom the Browns acquired in a trade with Miami Wednesday, can get up to speed with the defense in time to see some game action as well. Crennel said Daniels was due to arrive in Cleveland Wednesday night.

Shaun Rogers and Kevin Kasper were back at practice Wednesday. Crennel said Rogers not playing against the Giants was "the coach's decision" and said he hopes Rogers will play this weekend against his former teammates.

Kasper has been out since early in camp with a hamstring injury.

Crennel said Braylon Edwards is "making progress" with his foot, which was cut in practice 10 days ago.

"We're trying to keep him off his feet so he doesn't re-open that wound," Crennel said. "We're going to be a little cautious with him to try to get it healed up because at his position where he runs and cuts, the thing that we don't want to happen is we don't want him to break it open.

"But he's in a good frame of mind and he's doing good."

Crennel also said Ryan Tucker has had "no setbacks. He is still working and making progress. They wanted to take another picture of his hip, (but) everything is coming along good with the added workload they've been giving him. He is still working."