Browns’ Steinbach injures knee; Bentley hopes to rejoin unit soon

BEREA (AP) — Offensive lineman Eric Steinbach, the Browns’ top free-agent acquisition, left practice Tuesday after he fell on his right knee.

Steinbach was being examined by team doctors following Cleveland’s afternoon practice, which took place indoors because of rain. He walked off the field with a trainer and did not return.

“I would say he bruised it,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. “That’s what I would say because we didn’t have pads on inside and we were on the turf and he came down on the knee.”

The Browns, who have been cursed by injuries, particularly to their offensive line, can’t afford to lose Steinbach, who signed a seven-year, $49.5 million contract in March.

Cleveland signed Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley to a six-year, $36 million contract last season, and he was injured on the first play of contact in training camp, tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee.

Hopes to rejoin team

Bentley has said his injured knee is about 70 percent and he hopes to join the team for practice by the end of the month. He hasn’t given up on his goal of playing this season.

The Browns thought they had some depth on their line for the first time in years, but announced last week that offensive tackle Ryan Tucker would be suspended for the first four games of the season because of steroid use.

Crennel reported a list of injuries Tuesday, including linebacker Willie McGinest, who had tightness in his back Monday and was being evaluated by his doctor in Los Angeles.

Wide receiver Tim Carter got hit on the thumb and missed practice.

Steinbach’s backup at left guard, Andrew Hoffman, got hit on his elbow and also was being evaluated.