Stallworth eyes Giant return

09.29.2008

Donte' Stallworth is still down on himself for missing the first four games of the Browns' season with a quad injury.

But he was upbeat Monday because he thinks the team's bye is coming at the right time to allow him to finish the healing process and return to action two weeks from tonight when the Browns host the Giants.

"This bye week is definitely very helpful for me," he said. "I look forward to taking off my Cleveland Browns cheerleading outfit and putting on my helmet and shoulder pads this next go around.

"I was real close yesterday. My biggest thing was trying to be smart about everything and not become a liability out there or injure myself even further."

Without Stallworth and Joe Jurevicius, the Browns have been forced to press inexperienced wide receivers Syndric Steptoe and Steve Sanders into action. Stallworth's eventual return should allow offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to use Steptoe in a more situational role and could discourage teams from double-teaming Braylon Edwards as Stallworth has proven to be a deep threat over his first six NFL seasons.

"I'm hoping I'll be able to go out and hopefully make some plays," he said. "Just be another guy that can go out there and make a couple of more plays, in a time when the team needs it, get some more wins and keep piling on."

MORE INJURY UPDATES - Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Kevin Shaffer probably suffered a mild concussion during Sunday's game and the bye week should allow him extra time to recover.

He said Kellen Winslow's "knee got banged up a bit but he came back in and finished the game. He plays hard. He continued to play."

He said Shaun Smith is scheduled to have hand surgery Tuesday morning and will be able to play against the Giants "if everything goes well." Smith has started the last two games in a cast.