Injuries mounting for Browns
BEREA, Ohio -- Help wanted. Good health mandatory and ability to play running back or offensive line a plus. Contact Cleveland Browns.
The Browns might be scrounging through the waiver wire in the coming days after a wave of injuries the past week left them thin at running back and right guard.
Dion Lewis, the 5-foot-7 running back offensive coordinator Norv Turner had big plans for, suffered a broken left fibula while being tackled at the end of a six-yard gain on a pass from Jason Campbell in the third quarter Thursday night in the Browns' 24-6 preseason victory over the Lions. He could be headed for injured reserve, though Coach Rob Chudzinski is putting off a decision until final cuts.
Earlier Thursday, running back Montario Hardesty underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. He could miss the first two or three games.
Rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo suffered a bruised lung in the first quarter and spent Thursday and Friday night in the hospital.
Right guard Jason Pinkston is wearing a walking boot because he suffered a high ankle sprained right ankle in the first quarter. The Browns are already down a starting guard because Shawn Lauvao had ankle surgery on Aug. 9.
On Friday Chudzinski said Lewis will require surgery, though a date has not been scheduled. He also said Pinkston's ankle injury could carry into the regular season.
Chudzinski said Lauvao will miss part of the regular season, though on Friday he would not say how much time Lauvao might miss.
"We'll see (about bringing in a running back or a guard)," Chudzinski said Friday. "I'm not expecting bringing somebody in right now. We'll have to see where we are with some of these other guys injury-wise and how soon we're expecting them back."
Rookie Garrett Gilkey, who last year played for Division II Chadron State in Nebraska, replaced Pinkston against the Lions. The Browns might have to scrounge the waiver wire for a veteran guard.
Rookie kicker Brandon Bogotay suffered a groin injury in the second quarter. He is determined to kick next week in Indianapolis. His chances of winning the job over Shayne Graham could depend on it.
"I have to be ready for the next game," he said. "It's nothing severe."
Brandon Jackson is next in line behind Trent Richardson and Lewis. He feels Lewis' pain because Jackson missed all of 2011 with a toe injury.
"It's always an opportunity when a guy goes down and your number is called," Jackson said. "When I was with Green Bay in 2010, Ryan Grant went down the first game, I had to come in and step up for the whole season. This is another opportunity to show the coaches I can be here and help the team win."
Jackson carried seven times for minus two yards Thursday night playing behind the second offensive line. He had been having a fine training camp.
The rash of injuries took the glow from Richardson's first game since Dec. 23 of last year. He carried six times for 33 yards and was on the field for two series.
"I feel real good, especially being out there with my team," Richardson said. "The offense, defense, special teams -- everybody is out there doing big things.
"I'm happy to be out there in front of Cleveland Nation and Browns Nation. It's been so long being out here in Cleveland."
Richardson missed the final game of 2012 with two broken ribs and was rested in the first preseason game this year because he was kicked in the shin in practice on Aug. 1.
--Team correspondents for The Sports Xchange contributed material for this story.
