Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi begins camp with a cast on left foot and ankle
Published: Saturday, July 30, 2011, 2:22 PM Updated: Saturday, July 30, 2011, 3:20 PM
Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND -- Browns training camp began with a mild surprise Saturday morning -- the sight of receiver Mohamed Massaquoi hobbling around with a walking cast on his left leg, from foot to knee.
But Browns coach Pat Shurmur said that the injuries to Massaquoi (foot) and guard Eric Steinbach i(knee) are "nothing we feel is serious.'' Both players are on the non-football injury list and still active.
"(Massaquoi's) is a little foot deal,'' said Shurmur. "We'll evaluate it as it goes and make sure it's just right.''
Shurmur said the timeline of Massaquoi's injury is a little fuzzy and didn't specify how it happened. Massaquoi, who caught balls from the JUGS machine after practice, declined to discuss the injury.
But he participated fully in Camp Colt IV in Austin, Texas July 10-12 and seemed just fine running routes and catching passes. He also discussed how hard he worked in the offseason, learning from Pro Bowl receivers such as Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson.
Quarterback Colt McCoy said it's "unfortunate Mohamed will be out a little while'' but was grateful the two worked so hard together during the offseason. Massaquoi attended all four of the offensive skill sessions.
In his absence, the two starting wideouts in practice were Brian Robiskie and Josh Cribbs.
Steinbach was replaced in the lineup by first-year guard Pat Murray, signed last year as a free agent.
The Browns also had one injury that occurred the first day when tight end Ben Watson got kneed in the back of the head and got up slowly. He walked gingerly into the locker room with the trainers and didn't return. The Browns will most likely check Watson for a concussion.
In other news and notes from the first day:
* No. 1 pick Phil Taylor held out the first day while the two sides continue to try work out a deal. Shurmur said he'd love to have him here and that they'll work hard to catch him up.
* Newly-signed defensive end Jayme Mitchell was not in attendance, but Shurmur called his two-year deal "a big signing.'' He'll work at left end.
* Shurmur acknowledged that the Browns will "look in that direction'' for a new cornerback to replace Eric Wright.
* Kicker Phil Dawson admitted that he didn't think he'd be back this season and that he's not looking beyond his one-year franchise contract. "I appreciated the outpouring of support from the fans,'' he said.
* The newly-signed free agents, both unrestricted and exclusive rights, are unable to practice until Aug. 4 when the new league year begins. Dawson admitted that he's frustrated by being here but not being able to kick. The list includes Evan Moore, Usama Young and Brandon Jackson.
* Shurmur said Young will challenge for the starting free safety job. Scott Fujita, who played with him in New Orleans, also praised him and said he's ready for an increased role.
* Running back Montario Hardesty, coming off the torn ACL, looked solid running the ball, catching passes and sometimes being split wide.
* It was evident that the offensive players spent plenty of time working together in the offseason. Although there were a few misfires, it was an incredibly smooth practice for a bunch of players that just met their coach in the past few days. McCoy was right -- all the hard work paid off.
* A number of receivers caught fine passes, including Jordan Norwood, Josh Cribbs, Brian Robiskie, L.J. Castile and Greg Little.
* The Browns will not pursue a trade for Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, who's rumored to be on the block now that the Eagles have Nnamdi Asomugha. Carolina free agent cornerback Richard Marshall is off the market after signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals today.
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