Injury bug bites Davis, Verba, Jackson

Cleveland signed running back Dee Brown to fill in for James Jackson.
BEREA (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns are already starting to look banged up, just three days into training camp.
First-string wide receiver Andre Davis left the field during Sunday's afternoon practice after rolling his ankle during a passing drill at the team's training facility in this Cleveland suburb.
Last year, Davis suffered a knee injury early in training camp. While the team initially labeled that injury minor, Davis ended up missing most of the preseason.
Once again, the Browns are downplaying Davis' injury.
"[Davis] was just going to go in and put ice on it, said Browns coach Butch Davis. "I don't know whether there are going to be any tests or not, or whether its even required, to be honest."
The team also downplayed the hamstring injury running back James Jackson suffered during Saturday's practice.
Sunday, a team official said Jackson's injury was a partial tear. That diagnosis was later changed to a sprain.
Jackson, however, said his hamstring is partially torn. A story posted Sunday on the Browns' official Web site also called the injury a tear.
Starting left tackle Ross Verba joined the walking wounded Saturday, breaking his left thumb when he slipped and fell. He returned Sunday and practiced wearing a cast.
"I have broken them before," Verba said. "It's nothing. We all break fingers. It doesn't keep us out. It doesn't really affect us either, especially on the left hand. Of course, I never hold anyway."
Verba was one of the 15 Browns to finish the 2003 season on injured reserve. He sat out the entire year after tearing his right bicep in the Browns final preseason game.
Dee Brown signed
With Jackson sidelined, the Browns signed veteran Dee Brown to help carry the running back load.
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Brown was a sixth-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2001. He rushed for a career-high 122 yards against the Browns in 2002. Brown played two games last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
To make room on the roster, the Browns waived linebacker David Moretti.
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