BROWNS Edwards happy to be better
Coach Romeo Crennel isn't ruling the rookie receiver out against Detroit.
BEREA (AP) -- Browns rookie Braylon Edwards was all smiles in the locker room Wednesday, and for good reason.
His quick recovery from an infection in his right arm may put him back in the lineup sooner than expected.
"I'm happy that it was fixed," Edwards said, rubbing his arm occasionally. "It could have went a different direction. I'm just happy to be healthy and back."
Edwards practiced with the team Wednesday on a limited basis and was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.
"I'm not ruling Braylon out of this game," Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said.
The absence
The wide receiver has missed two games and had been expected to miss at least a month.
Edwards, the No. 3 overall draft pick, was hospitalized for four days following surgery Oct. 8 to cut out an infection in his right arm. He was back in the locker room for the first time Wednesday, his right arm wrapped from wrist to above the elbow, covering 15 stitches in a 9-inch incision.
The infection came as he was starting to establish himself in the offense. He has nine catches for 166 yards and leads the team with an 18.4 yards per catch average.
Edwards had an 80-yard touchdown in a win at Green Bay, showing his big play potential -- something the Browns haven't had in years.
Edwards spoke optimistically Wednesday, saying he still can have a solid rookie year. He said he never got frustrated or scared because of the infection.
"It was a joke to me when they said they had to do surgery. I said, 'Are you serious?' I laughed," he said. "I woke up out of surgery and asked, 'What was the score of the Michigan game?' "
Mixed emotions
He couldn't have been happy to learn that Michigan had lost to Minnesota, but it's been good news ever since for Edwards.
Doctors still haven't determined what type of infection he has, but ruled out a staph infection, which would have sidelined him longer.
"They won't know how serious it could have been until they finish growing the culture," he said. "But the bottom line is it wasn't serious and it's over with."
He still doesn't know how he got the infection.
Edwards didn't lose any weight while in the hospital and actually might have gained a few pounds.
"I had a couple good home-cooked meals while I was out," he said.
Edwards played catch with Antonio Bryant during practice and participated in warmups, wearing an elbow sleeve over the incision.
His return is good news for a team that has had bad luck with first-round picks, most recently losing tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. for the season after he injured his knee in a motorcycle accident.
The decision
Playing Sunday will depend on whether Edwards can withstand contact during practice this week and whether he has any irritation in his arm.
"Naturally, as a competitor I feel like I can go now," he said. "But it's not up to me. It's not up to what I feel. It's up to the stitches. It's up to the healing."
Edwards would love to play against the Lions, his hometown team, and said a lot of friends and family want to come to the game.
"I'm not trying to force to play just because it's Detroit," he said. "I'm trying to plan the long run. I'm trying to have 10, nine games left that I can play at full speed instead of one at half and get hurt."