Browns’ Lewis nearing 30 years, 10,000 yards

Cleveland’s running back could be busier than usual against the Texans.

BEREA (AP) — Cleveland running back Jamal Lewis is quickly approaching two round milestones: 30 years of age and 10,000 career yards.

He won’t hit the big 3-0 until Aug. 26, when the self-described “gym junkie” will be preparing for his 10th season as a pro. Barring an injury, Lewis, who once gained 295 yards in a game, will become the NFL’s 24th 10,000-yard man sometime in the next few weeks.

The Browns wouldn’t mind if he got there sooner — like Sunday.

With running backs Jerome Harrison (hamstring) and Jason Wright (neck) nursing injuries, Lewis could be busier than usual when the Browns (4-6) host the Houston Texans (3-7). And that’s more than fine with Lewis, who is still looking for his first 100-yard game this season after rushing for 1,304 yards in 2007.

Whether on the practice field or in the stadium when the game lights are shining, Lewis craves being Cleveland’s workhorse.

“I want every rep [repetition],” he said. “I want it. I want it. Things happen. I’ve got to be there to answer the bell, and I’ll be there.”

There hasn’t been a time when he wasn’t. Lewis enters this week’s game with 658 yards on 185 carries, a 3.6-yard-per-carry average, below his 4.3 career mark — that has some wondering if the 29-year-old has lost a step. He hasn’t been breaking off long runs the way he did a year ago, when he scored on TD runs of 66 and 31 yards. His longest scoring run this season is four yards.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said that’s not all Lewis’ fault.

“We haven’t blocked as efficiently as we need to, to help him,” he said.

Although he hasn’t seemed as productive or as quick, Lewis is ahead of last season’s pace. It was at this exact point a year ago, when he took off. In Week 11 against Houston, Lewis busted out for 134 yards on 29 attempts in Cleveland’s 27-17 win. It was the first of four 100-yard-plus games in his final six games when he racked up 697 yards.

Lewis feels he’s on the verge of breaking loose again.

“I think I’m running as well as I need to and as well as I train in the offseason to run,” he said. “You’re not going to get 100 yards every game. You’re not going get those big yards every game. Sometimes it’s all about being consistent.”

As a whole, Cleveland’s offense hasn’t been what it was last season, when the Browns scored 402 points and produced four Pro Bowlers. But things have changed.

Injuries have been a factor, limiting offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s options. Also, the Browns recently switched quarterbacks, turning the unit over to Brady Quinn, who has made just two starts and is still settling into his new role. Quinn’s presence changes the game plan as does the opponent.