Browns punter Dave Zastudil revealed he's been recovering from a torn patella tendon but is optimistic he'll be ready for the opener.
Browns punter Dave Zastudil is optimistic he'll be recovered enough from a torn patella tendon to start the opener.CLEVELAND -- Browns punter Dave Zastudil said he's been recovering from surgery to repair a torn right patella tendon, but that he hopes to be ready for the start of the season Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay.
"Over time, the patella tendon had some issues with it and I had to get surgery to help that tendon out,'' Zastudil said. "I'm trying to be smart about it and make sure my volume doesn't get too high. I look forward to getting better everyday. My whole goal is to be ready for the first game in September.''
Zastudil succumbed to the injury in November and was placed on injured reserve for the final eight games. Despite that it's his non-kicking leg, it's still a tough rehabilitation process.
"All of your pressure's on your plant leg,'' he said. "As long as you get it warmed up real good and you keep your leg strong, that's the best way to keep that knee healthy.''
Zastudil is splitting the punting duties in camp with Reggie Hodges, who punted in Zastudil's place for the second half of 2009.
"I take every training camp as competition,'' said Zatudil. "Reggie's trying to win a job and I'm trying to win a job and it's healthy competition. He's making me better an I'm making him better and we're here competing for the job.''
He said the injury was not caused by working too much in training camp last season.
"The coaches are really great with us,'' he said. "It was kind of a freak thing with me. It seems like it was just building over time. I got it taken care of and I look forward to having a great year healthy. I'm very optimistic I'll be ready to go.''