Friday, October 27, 2006
Browns: Right offensive tackle Ryan Tucker missed practice Thursday with what coach Romeo Crennel termed "a medical illness" that could keep him out of Sunday's game against the Jets. Tucker hasn't been at the club's training facility all week. He missed two days of practice last week but played all but the final few minutes of Cleveland's loss to the Broncos. Crennel said team doctors were still trying to diagnose Tucker, who hasn't missed a start this season, his fifth with the Browns. "He's dealing with it on an outpatient basis," Crennel said. "He's not on his death bed or anything like that. We have to take time to get that illness figured out." Crennel said it would be tough for the 31-year-old Tucker to play if he doesn't practice this week. "If he misses a couple more days, I'll have to see whether or not he can play," Crennel said. Tucker started all 16 games for the Browns last season. He missed part of training camp this summer after having arthroscopic surgery on Aug. 1. Losing Tucker would be another big blow for the Browns (1-5) and their struggling offense. Cleveland's line has been trying to regroup since center LeCharles Bentley went down with a knee injury in training camp. If Tucker is sidelined, Nat Dorsey or Kelly Butler would likely start in his place. Dorsey played one series last week when Tucker went out. Butler was waived by Detroit in September and claimed off waivers by the Browns. He started all 16 games last season for the Lions. Crennel didn't rule Tucker out, but seemed to indicate he was ready to use Butler if necessary. "I put a value on experience, good experience particularly," Crennel said. "Kelly started 16 games last year. That says he knows a little about playing the game and knows how to handle himself with things that may come up in the game. That goes a long way I believe."
Colts: Defensive tackle Montae Reagor said Thursday he is "resting and feeling fine" after surgery to repair a facial fracture caused by an automobile accident. Reagor was hospitalized after his SUV was struck by another car and overturned while he was driving to the RCA Dome for the Colts' game against Washington on Sunday. He is still on the team's active roster, although coach Tony Dungy said there is no immediate indication how long Reagor will be out of action. "I want to thank everyone for the concern and support in the days after my accident," Reagor said in a statement released by the Colts. "I am resting and feeling fine after surgery yesterday. I feel fine and am in good spirits," he said. "I know there is a road of recovery ahead, and I am looking forward to the comeback. The surgery was successful." The operation Wednesday was to repair the orbital bone -- the socket -- around his left eye. There was no word how long he might stay in the hospital or what protective measures might be necessary once he is released. Dungy said Wednesday before the surgery that the team would not seek a roster exemption to add another player in Reagor's place. "We're hoping right now that he gets back, so we're going to keep him on the active roster until we find out otherwise," Dungy said. "Right now, he's one of our inactive guys for this week."
Cardinals: Matt Leinart was a proud father, showing off baby pictures to teammates, as he returned to practice Thursday after a day off to attend the birth of his son in southern California. The rookie quarterback was with former girlfriend Brynn Cameron, who gave birth to the couple's son, Cole, on Tuesday night, then was given Wednesday off by Cardinals coach Dennis Green to remain with them a bit longer. "It was a great experience," said Leinart, who provided a rare glimpse into the private life that he normally guards closely. "The best thing is we brought a healthy boy into this world. Now my next job is to be a great dad." Leinart and Cameron were together for much of the quarterback's time at USC. She plays basketball for the Trojans and plans to return for her junior season next year. Leinart thanked Green for allowing him to miss a practice. "Everything went well. Everything's great," he said. "Now I look forward to every chance I get to get back there." Green said he felt it was important for Leinart to have the time to attend the birth. "He's a great guy, he's a great person," Green said. "He's a very mature adult. I think he's going to be a great father." Leinart said it was an interesting few days because of his awful experience on Sunday, when he drew several fierce hits in the Cardinals' 22-9 loss at Oakland. It was his first bad outing in his three NFL starts. The emotions shifted in a hurry for the birth, which conveniently enough for him occurred in the middle of the week between games at Oakland and Green Bay.
Associated Press
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