NFL

Latest surgery could spell end for Browns’ Jurevicius

After saying a few weeks ago that he expected to be reading for training camp, things don’t look good for Browns wide receiver Joe Jurevicius after undergoing a second surgery on his right knee since January.

Jurevicius had swelling and discomfort in his knee related to his first operation, and the club said in a statement that he had a further “clean out” last week to “help his recovery and control his symptoms.” He had two more surgical procedures previously to treat a staph infection. The team said no determination has been made on Jurevicius’ status for training camp, which opens July 23.

You have to think that if he gets on the field, it will be difficult for him to be as effective as he was last season, when he caught 50 passes for 614 yards. Some reports have speculated he will retire. The 33-year-old had already said this year might be his last. Jurevicius has two years remaining on a four-year contract he signed in 2006, and he was expected to be the No. 3 receiver this season. 

The Browns had planned to limit Jurevicius to only 35-40 percent of their offensive snaps this season. As the Browns’ second receiver last year, Jurevicius played about 70 percent of the time.

Cleveland signed WR Donte’ Stallworth during the offseason, which looks more and more like a wise addition in light of Jurevicius’ health problems; expect Stallworth to play a number of snaps similar to Jurevicius’ 70 percent from last year. The team may also ask return specialist Josh Cribbs to take more snaps at wide receiver.

Incidentally, a published report during the team’s last minicamp suggested there was a chance Jurevicius would not be ready for either training camp or the opener – and that was before this latest surgery. That story caused Browns coach Romeo Crennel to sternly lecture the media about how veteran players deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to these matters. Don’t suppose the coach will apologize now.

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