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Roye's knee injury could leave defensive line thin
JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer
12/01/2007
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BEREA -- Orpheus Roye was strapping a heavy brace onto his right knee yesterday before practice, listening to his music as he always does, and talking about his prospects of playing tomorrow against the Cardinals.

Roye is listed as ''questionable,'' which by NFL: definition means he has a 50-50 chance of playing. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because he was resting his knee.

''I'm aiming to play,'' Roye said. ''I've been resting my knee like I did last year. I think I'll be O.K.''

Roye, 34, has played in every game but one this season. That is an improvement over last season when he missed seven games with various injuries. He has 25 tackles, a half sack and two quarter pressures.

He was the starting left end at the beginning of the season and then lost his job to his chronically sore knee and Shaun Smith in the sixth game. He was back at left end the last two games -- the Ravens because Smith was out with a knee injury and last week because Smith started at nose tackle in place of Ethan Kelly, who sat out with a knee injury.

Kelly is listed as doubtful for tomorrow. He did not practice all week. Smith would start at nose tackle again if Kelly does not play. Simon Fraser would start at left end if Roye cannot play, and that would leave the Browns dangerously thin on the defensive line.

The other key injury is to cornerback Eric Wright. Wright was on the practice field yesterday, but he is listed as doubtful with a knee injury. He did not play last week.

''I feel positive that Orpheus is more of a (pain) management type thing,'' defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said before practice. ''The other two guys are going to have to do a little bit of work (yesterday) and see how far they have progressed. But both of them are very positive in their rehab.''

Daven Holly would start at left cornerback again if Wright does not play.

Edwards better

Braylon Edwards was frisky in practice after missing Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury. He was jumping well and making one-hand catches. He is listed as questionable.

Linebacker Antwan Peek (knee) is also questionable.

Tackle Kevin Shaffer (knee), defensive end Robaire Smith (knee) and tight end Steve Heiden (ankle) are probable.

Stripes return

It took most of the week, but the equipment crew put the brown stripes back on each side of all the helmets and removed the decals with the players' numbers on the sides.

The players wore the ''throwback'' helmets last week with only a white stripe down the middle of the orange helmet, plus the number decals, replicating the uniforms the Browns wore from 1957-59.

The Browns will wear a ''BW'' decal on their helmets to honor the late Bill Willis, a guard/linebacker who played for the Browns from 1946-53 and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Willis died Tuesday at age 86.

Players will be allowed to wear a ''21'' decal to honor Sean Taylor, the Redskins safety who died Tuesday after being shot in the leg on Monday. Whether the 21 decal is worn is up to the individual player.

JSchudel@news-herald.com


©The Morning Journal 2009

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