The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)

Wilson, team receive good medical news

Linebacker doesn’t need surgery after knee injury, expected back at some point this season

- By Tom Withers

Browns starting linebacker Mack Wilson does not need surgery for his hyperexten­ded left knee and is expected to play this season, a much-needed, positive developmen­t for a team roughed up by injuries in training camp.

Wilson hurt his knee while breaking up a pass on Aug. 18.

He was carted off the field and there was fear the second-year linebacker from Alabama might be done for the 2020 season, but after getting a second medical opinion, an operation was ruled out.

First-year coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Sept. 1 Mack will return at some point. There is no definitive timetable on when he’ll be on the field.

“With all of our guys, you hate to see them go out and then you hope it’s always good news when they go out,” Stefanski said. “When (head trainer) Joe (Sheehan) sidles over to me, I always hope it’s good news, so this is a good developmen­t from that standpoint.”

The Browns have had numerous injuries — some of them serious — in the first couple weeks of camp. Rookie starting safety

Grant Delpit tore his right Achilles tendon and is out for the year. Also, nickel back Kevin Johnson was hospitaliz­ed after his liver was lacerated from contact during practice.

Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb missed a few days with a concussion and starting cornerback Greedy Williams has been slowed by a shoulder injury.

Star defensive end Myles

Garrett has been rested lately with an unspecifie­d wrist problem, but Stefanski said the team is being overly cautious with its best defensive player.

Wilson’s loss has put more stress on a rebuilt Cleveland linebackin­g group, which lost veterans Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey as free agents this

winter.

Sione Takitaki has moved into Wilson’s spot temporaril­y and rookie Jacob Phillips has been getting more work than expected.

 ?? JOHN KUNTZ —THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Mack Wilson is helped up by the team’s medical staff after suffering a knee injury in a 7-on-7drill during training camp Aug. 18in Berea.
JOHN KUNTZ —THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Mack Wilson is helped up by the team’s medical staff after suffering a knee injury in a 7-on-7drill during training camp Aug. 18in Berea.

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