Browns suspend TE Winslow

Winslow criticized the team for its handling of his recent staph infection.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tight end Kellen Winslow has been suspended for one game without pay by the Cleveland Browns for critical comments he made following Sunday’s loss at Washington.

Winslow, who spent three days at the Cleveland Clinic earlier this month with an undisclosed illness, revealed he had a staph infection. He also complained that the team, which has had at least six cases of staph in the past three years, asked him to hide his illness.

Winslow criticized general manager Phil Savage for not checking on him while he was in the hospital, said he felt like he was being treated like a “piece of meat,” and revealed he considered requesting a trade.

In a lengthy statement released Tuesday, Savage called Winslow’s comments and behavior “unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization.

“His statements brought unjustified negative attention to our organization, and violated the team-first concept of our football squad,” Savage said.

Winslow will miss Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and it will cost him $235,294 — his one-game paycheck.

The Pro Bowler will not be allowed to practice or attend meetings at the team’s facility this week and cannot return until Monday.

Winslow can appeal his suspension through the NFL Players’ Association. His agent Drew Rosenhaus did not immediately return phone messages or an e-mail seeking comment.

Winslow’s suspension culminates a two-week mystery that began with him being admitted to the hospital with an undisclosed illness.

The Browns, citing privacy laws and Winslow’s wishes, declined to identify his medical condition. On Friday, Winslow said he agreed with the team’s decision and argued that “just because I catch a football doesn’t mean I should tell what’s wrong with me or what happened.”

However after Sunday’s game, Winslow divulged he had staph — for the second time — and said he was coming forward to protect his teammates. Before talking to reporters, Winslow had spoken with Savage in a hallway outside the Browns’ locker room in Landover, Md.

On Monday, coach Romeo Crennel said he was disappointed by Winslow’s decision to take his problems to the media and said he would consult with Savage before levying any punishment.