Head coach Pat Shurmur downplays both players' ailments. "We just want to make sure they're right when we put them out there."
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns training camp opened with a mild surprise on Saturday -- the sight of starting receiver Mohamed Massaquoi hobbling around with a walking cast on his lower left leg.
With the team so far opting not to add a veteran receiver in free agency, they'll need to rely heavily on third-year receivers Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie this season.
"[Massaquoi has] a little foot deal that he came in with and we're going to evaluate that as we go and make sure he's right when we get him on the field," said coach Pat Shurmur.
Both Massaquoi and guard Eric Steinbach, who wore a knee brace Saturday, are beginning camp on the non-football injury list but can begin practicing at any time.
"Steinbach has a little bit of a knee issue," said Shurmur. "Same type deal. Nothing that we feel is serious. We just want to make sure they're right when we put them out there."
Shurmur said the Browns decided not to put the two on the physically unable to perform list "because we feel like we can get them out here sometime soon, so we'll see."
Massaquoi participated in Camp Colt IV earlier this month in Austin, Texas. It's unknown if he suffered the injury there.
"There's some question as to when it happened," said Shurmur. "I think he's just going to have to let it get settled down and then we'll put him out there when he's ready."
Colt McCoy lamented Massaquoi's absence.
"I don't know if I'm supposed to talk about injuries. I just know that he's going to be out for a little bit. That's unfortunate," said McCoy. "But when we worked this summer, he's in great shape, he's running crisp routes and when he gets that taken care of, I know he's anxious to get back out on the field."
Massaquoi, who spent time after practice catching passes on the JUGS machine, declined to talk about the injury. In his absence, the two starting receivers were Robiskie and Josh Cribbs. Shurmur said he'd know later in the week whether the Browns will try to add a veteran receiver.
In Steinbach's absence, first-year offensive lineman Pat Murray filled in at left guard. The St. Louis Dispatch reported Saturday night that the Browns traded for Rams guard John Greco from Toledo. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Watson dinged: Tight end Ben Watson, the Browns' leading receiver last season, took a knee to the back of the head after diving for a pass over the middle and was slow getting up. He walked gingerly to the locker room with the trainers and didn't return. It occurred late in practice. Watson was most likely checked for a concussion.
"He's in there being evaluated, so we'll see how he's doing," said Shurmur.
With Evan Moore not permitted to practice until Aug. 4 with the rest of the newly-signed free agents -- that left the Browns with two tight ends in practice, Alex Smith and rookie Jordan Cameron. Aug. 4 is the date the league year begins.
Another corner? Shurmur, on the Browns looking for a veteran corner now that Eric Wright is gone: "I think we're going to look in that direction. I don't know if we feel like we need one."
Three of the top free agent corners came off the market Saturday: Cleveland native Nate Clements went to the Bengals, Carolina's Richard Marshall went to Arizona and Chris Carr stayed in Baltimore. Still available are Washington's Carlos Rogers and the Jets' Antonio Cromartie.
New faces: Shurmur called the two-year contract for defensive end Jayme Mitchell "a big signing. We feel like he's a terrific pass rusher." Mitchell wasn't present Saturday but will be in camp Sunday.
Shurmur said free safety Usama Young "is a tough player" and will challenge for the starting job. On new running back Brandon Jackson, he said, "He's a fine football player. I feel really good that we got him in the fold. He played 600 snaps, started 13 games for a team that won the Super Bowl. He's a scheme fit."
A familiar face: Phil Dawson was happy to be back for his 13th season after thinking he had played his last game in a Browns uniform.
"I felt like that was it," he said. "Whether I emotionally said goodbye or not, I wanted to make sure people around here knew how I felt. I guess that took me down a road here where in January I thought I may never come back. To get the news this off-season that I will be back and now to be here, it's a surreal feeling, but it's one I am embracing and looking forward to.
"I'm ready to get after it. I'm kind of frustrated that I can't be out there practicing right now. Hopefully that will all get worked out because I want to get prepared and have a good season."
Sunday schedule: There will be one practice open to the public, from 8:45-11:15 a.m. Players will not be in full pads. Admission is free. Call the training camp hotline at 877-627-6967 for updates.
On Twitter: @marykaycabot
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_browns_wide_receiver_1.html
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