Browns to cut Courtney Brown, but former No. 1 pick may return

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Injury-plagued defensive end Courtney Brown will be released by the Browns on Monday, a day before he is due a $2.5 million roster bonus, Cleveland general manager Phil Savage told The Plain Dealer.
Savage said he'll discuss the move with Brown on Monday. He would like to retain Brown, who mostly has been a disappointment since the Browns selected him from Penn State with the first pick of the 2000 draft.
"We're hoping this is a temporary situation," Savage told the newspaper for Saturday's editions. "We're hoping that Courtney will explore his options and then return to the Cleveland Browns."
Injuries have severely limited Brown's playing time and production as a pass-rusher.
He has played in only 47 of 80 games during his five seasons and has totaled just 17 sacks.
Brown's injuries have included a torn knee ligament, a high ankle sprain, microfracture knee surgery, a ruptured right biceps tendon and a torn ligament in his foot.
He is one of several first-round draft picks who have failed to live up to expectations for the Browns since their return to the NFL as an expansion team in 1999.
Before last season, the Browns released quarterback Tim Couch, the No. 1 pick in 1999. Defensive tackle Gerard Warren, the No. 3 pick in 2001, was traded to Denver this month for a fourth-round draft choice.
Cleveland also is looking to trade running back William Green, the team's first-round selection, 16th overall, in the 2002 draft.