Ryan Tucker put on IR by Browns

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns struggled without offensive lineman Ryan Tucker last season. They’ll be without him again — and maybe for good.

Tucker, who considered retirement before reporting to training camp this summer, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday by the Browns. The 12-year veteran likely will miss the entire 2009 season, and it’s possible he may have played his final NFL game.

Contrary to a broadcast report that Tucker was released by the team, Cleveland coach Eric Mangini said that Tucker, who has been sidelined recently with an unspecified injury, was placed on IR.

Mangini would not confirm reports that the 34-year-old Tucker underwent knee surgery last week.

Mangini also did not know if Tucker plans to retire. The Browns may be working on an injury settlement, which if completed could lead to Tucker’s outright release. Per league rules, the team has five days to reach a settlement or they would have to pay Tucker for the season.

While there are procedural matters to clean up, there’s no question about Tucker’s impact on the Browns, who signed him as a free agent in 2002.

“He’s the physical and emotional leader for the offensive line with the way he plays,” Browns center Hank Fraley said. “Just to watch him prepare and all he goes through on game day and what he turns into. It’s tough to lose him. But he’s had a great career.”

Mangini left open the possibility of Tucker returning to the team, although that appears to be a long-shot scenario.

“At this time of year there’s different types of IR, there’s different things can happen, we’ve just got to see how it all plays out,” Mangini said.

The Browns also placed veteran offensive lineman Fred Weary on injured reserve. Weary, who has played for Tennessee and Houston, was signed last month after guard Rex Hadnot injured his knee during practice.

Also, the Carolina Panthers traded an undisclosed draft pick to the Browns for defensive tackle Louis Leonard.

Leonard was signed by San Diego in 2007 after going undrafted out of Fresno State. He was later waived by the Chargers and St. Louis before signing with the Browns during the middle of the 2007 season.

Leonard played all 16 games for Cleveland last season, including four starts, and had 31 tackles.