BROWNS Green still absent from locker room

His NFL-imposed four-game suspension ended Monday.
BEREA (AP) -- William Green's strange and troubled season has taken a new twist.
Cleveland's running back didn't rejoin the Browns from his NFL-imposed four-game suspension as expected Monday, raising more questions about his future with the team.
Green was banned for four games last month for violating the league's substance abuse program. The 23-year-old Green, who has a history of drug and alcohol problems, was eligible for reinstatement Monday.
However, the club's leading rusher, whose fiancee has been accused of stabbing him in the back with a knife, was not at the club's training facility.
Still awaiting word
The Browns said they were awaiting word from the league on Green's status.
"He did not take part in any team related activities today," team president Carmen Policy said in a statement. "We are preparing for Monday night's game with St. Louis as though William will not be available."
It's possible that Green could be facing further discipline from the NFL.
When Green was suspended by the league, the Browns said it involved alcohol. To be suspended for four games, Green had to have already been enrolled in the league's treatment program.
According to the league's collective bargaining agreement, another violation results in a four- or six-game suspension. A fourth infraction would lead to a player sitting out for a year.
Spokesman Steve Alic said the league "had nothing to report on Green at this time."
The player's agent, Tom Condon, did not immediately return a phone message.
Premature to speculate
Browns coach Butch Davis said it was premature to speculate on Green's future in Cleveland.
"Everybody recognizes that William has some issues right now that he has to address and take care of," Davis said. "When those things are taken care of and resolved, we'll decide what William's future is."
Green, a first-round draft pick in 2001, was arrested Oct. 27 on charges of drunken driving and marijuana possession. He has a pretrial hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
The Browns suspended him for their Nov. 9 game at Kansas City for "conduct detrimental to the team," and the league counted that game as part of its suspension.
On Nov. 19, Green was allegedly stabbed with a knife by Asia Gray, his girlfriend and the mother of his two daughters. She has pleaded innocent to charges of felonious assault and domestic violence.
Green told police that the injury was accidental, that he tripped while walking up stairs.
During a search of Green's home on the night of the alleged stabbing, police discovered a stainless steel knife with suspected blood on the blade imbedded in a kitchen cabinet door.
Drugs found
They also found marijuana in four separate locations in Green's residence, and confiscated personal papers belonging to the couple.
After a slow start last season, Green rushed for 887 yards -- 726 yards in the final seven games -- and led the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 1994.
Green rushed for 559 yards and one touchdown this season, but he missed Cleveland's Oct. 26 game at New England with a separated right shoulder.