Mary Kay Cabot of The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports that the Cleveland Browns are in danger of losing one of their best offensive linemen for the 2011 season as Eric Steinbach could be forced to undergo surgery on his back.
“At this point, he’s going through some treatments that we’re hoping will get him back, and there’s no real final call yet on whether he’ll be back — or when, actually,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur said.
Steinback suffered the injury during practice on August 17th. He’s currently seeking a second opinion but his options seem to be pretty limited at this point in time.
Cleveland has had him playing next to Joe Thomas which has created a solid wall on the left side of their offensive line but this injury could force rookie Jason Pinkston into the teams starting lineup.
“If Steinbach is out, he’ll most likely be replaced by rookie Jason Pinkston, a fifth-round pick who started at left guard Thursday night against the Eagles and graded out well,” Cabot writes. “If Pinkston beats out a veteran such as John Greco for the job, the Browns would have two young starting guards in Pinkston and second-year player Shaun Lauvao.”
In other Browns injury news, RB Brandon Jackson is also dealing with a serious injury that could cost him the upcoming season. Initially it was believed that Jackson was dealing with a turf toe injury but that diagnosis has since been changed.
“I don’t know the actual term for it,” said Shurmur. “He does not have a broken toe, but it’s going to take some time to settle down.”
Jackson was supposed to be a compliment to Peyton Hillis but this injury could force the Browns to place him on injured reserve which apply some added pressure to last years second-round draft pick Montario Hardesty.
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