DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Roye to IR; Russell out this week

Zac Jackson, Staff Writer
12.11.2006

Monday brought bad news for the Browns defense: Orpheus Roye is done for the season, and Brian Russell is out for at least this week's game in Baltimore.

The knee injury Roye suffered in the Bengals game two weeks ago won't require surgery, but it will keep him out for the final three games. Russell remains hospitalized, where's he's been since his elbow laceration re-opened last Thursday in Pittsburgh and the Browns sent him home for treatment.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said the Browns' medical staff was awaiting test results to find out the full nature of the problem. Crennel hasn't ruled Russell out for the season, but did say he won't play this week.

"He's disappointed because he's going to miss this game, but he's in a good frame of mind," Crennel said. "Under the circumstances he's doing pretty good."

Russell is considered the quarterback of a secondary that's had more than its share of injury troubles this season. Brodney Pool started in his place last week, and Justin Hamilton also saw his first extended NFL action.

"Brian has been a leader back there as far as helping the young guys and getting those young guys on the same page," Crennel said. "When you lose that, that hurts a little bit."

Crennel said Roye's injured MCL will heal itself, but not in time to play any more this season. Roye played in 9 games this season, recording 38 tackles and 1 sack.

Simon Fraser has started in his place the last two weeks.

"Orpheus is one of the more consistent guys along that front," Crennel said. "He's proven over time that he can play and be an effective player.

"(This year) he hasn't been totally healthy. But the times he's been out there and playing he's been a pretty consistent player."

The Browns placed Roye on injured-reserve and signed defensive lineman Orien Harris off the Steelers' practice squad to fill his spot on the roster. Harris was a fourth-round pick out of Miami (Fl.) in last year's draft and has been on the Steelers' practice squad all season.

Harris (6-foot-3, 302) started 34 of 48 games in his Miami career, was a second-team AP All-American last season and played in the Senior Bowl last January.

MORE INJURIES--Leigh Bodden (ankle), Willie McGinest (pectoral), Dennis Northcutt (shoulder) Joe Andruzzi (knee), Kellen Winslow (knee), Nick Eason (foot sprain), D'Qwell Jackson (turf toe) and Mason Unck (groin) were the other players Crennel said were working through injuries.

Charlie Frye's bruised right wrist remains in a brace. Crennel said Frye was scheduled to meet again with doctors Monday afternoon.





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Sorry to hear the news, but it gives us some room to bring in a FA or take the best of whoever off of a practice squad.

I just saw this on Cleveland.com. Figures, just add 2 more to the list. I need to check, but it seems like we lead the league in number of people on IR year in year out. It might not be true, but it sure seems that way.

Raleigh

I can't state the numbers but teams lose guys like Russell all the time and we don't hear much about it.. he's an average player on a subaverage team... if the Cardinals lost one of their safeties would we even pay any attention to it?

I know it's offense, but might as well bring Sowells up just to see if he has anything.

That is a potential stink bomb the team would rather avoid this year in the hope that another off-season somehow changes things.

I think this is interesting news. I remember Harris' name being batted around at draft time. 4th round pick, some solid credentials and looks to be a more physically imposing specimen than Fraser....

I know its unlikely to pay immediate dividends, but I have a weird hunch that this might be a good pick up for the Browns...

I'm assuming he's had some time to develop at practice this year. I don't think it would hurt too bad to at least see how he stands in at Druzzi's spot.

JMHO.

This also shows Savage knows where every player is at, studies the practice squards and isnt afraid to [censored] off the steelers or any team by taking a player they wanted to keep.

<img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I thought Northcutt was suffering from sprained forearms, wrists, hands, and all ten thumbs <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Apparently a shoulder injury really causes trouble trying to catch those swing passes. That shoulder must have been bothering him his whole career.

Harris's problem is his effort and that should improve with maturity.

Clay,if the Steelers wanted to keep Harris so badly,he wouldn't have been on the practice squad. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Harris falls in the same category as Fred Matua. Players that were highly thought of prior to the draft and then dropped during training camp and became practice squad fodder.