Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said he will not need surgery for his partially torn pectoral muscle and there is "no chance at all" of him needing to go on season-ending injured reserve.
Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, recovering from a partially torn pectoral muscle, says he will be able to get back on the field this year for the Browns. Speaking for the first time since suffering a partially torn pectoral muscle on Aug. 10, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said he will not need surgery and there is "no chance at all" of needing to go on season-ending injured reserve.
He was upbeat and all smiles during his appearance in the Browns locker room after practice. But Jackson admitted he was very concerned when the "freakish" injury happened because it felt just like the one a year ago to the other side of his chest. He completely tore that pectoral and needed season-ending surgery.
"I had a lot of thoughts going through my head," Jackson said. "It felt so similar to the past injury. I just couldn't believe it.
"Once I got the readings back from the MRI, it was a sigh of relief. I was able to play [at some point]. Yeah, I'll miss the preseason, but I have to look at the positive. When I come back, I know I'll be ready."
Jackson said the muscle "was not completely torn," but he compared the rehab process to a torn hamstring.
"It's just got to heal itself," he said. "Long as I can get as much treatment as possible and get my strength back, because day to day it changes. Some days are better than others. This past week I've been feeling pretty good without any soreness."
The original recovery timetable set by Jackson's personal doctor was three to eight weeks, which would mean getting back on the field as early as Tuesday and as late as Oct. 5.
Jackson would not state a target date for his return.
"I'm taking it day to day at this point. In a perfect world, the first game, but I can't put any projections on it," he said.
Little steps: It was a red-letter day for Montario Hardesty. The rookie running back experienced his first official practice of training camp with his teammates after missing 26 days with a bone bruise on his right knee.
He didn't do much, as most of the team work was devoted to preparation for the third preseason game in Detroit on Saturday. Hardesty took two handoffs over the two-hour practice.
"First day back. I'm just trying to get back into things," Hardesty said. "It was fun being back out with the team. I play football, so just being out there with the guys was the best thing about it."
Hardesty said he would not play in Detroit. "I'm shooting for the next one [Thursday against Chicago]," he said. "Whenever they call on me I'll be ready to go."
Ivey climbing up depth chart: The last time the Browns claimed a Miami Dolphin, they struck gold with linebacker Matt Roth. Now they'll try to rush defensive lineman Travis Ivey into the middle of the line to find out if he can help.
Ivey, 6-4 and 325 pounds, worked at nose tackle with the second defensive unit on Thursday. If Shaun Rogers is idled to start the regular season, Ivey has a chance to stick as a backup to Ahtyba Rubin.
"It's nice to be wanted," said Ivey, who was waived by the Dolphins this week. He said he thinks he has time to make the team. "I feel they wouldn't have brought me here if they didn't think I could play. Obviously, I'll get some opportunities this weekend. I've got to take advantage of those."
Brownie points: Coach Eric Mangini hasn't completely ruled out shifting cornerback Sheldon Brown, 31, to safety in the future. But he said he likes Brown at cornerback and "for that to be even a thought, Joe [Haden] would have to make a dramatic push [at Brown's starting job]." . . . Second-year cornerback Coye Francies passed his physical and advanced from the Physically Unable to Perform list to the active roster. He was quite active in his first practice on Thursday. "I just have to take care of my body, my spirit and my soul and let everything else take care of itself," Francies said. . . . Right tackle John St. Clair remained excused for personal reasons.
Backup quarterback Brett Ratliff knows his spot on the Browns' final roster is not assured, but says he is not spending a lot of time worrying about whether or not he will make the team.Ratliff at peace:
Quarterback Brett Ratliff sounds unfazed about his seemingly long odds of making the final roster."I really feel like football is what I'm supposed to do," Ratliff said. "If I get cut from here, I really feel I'll be somewhere else. If not, I'll see what God has for me and get into coaching. I love football. Why do anything else?"
Ratliff just turned 25 this month and isn't ready to pursue a coaching career. He said he would consider continuing his playing career in the United Football League if need be.
"If it didn't work out here, sure. I'll pursue football however long it takes me," he said. "I have no idea what will happen. It's kind of exciting, kind of scary a little bit. But it's [a matter of] continuing to trust in God and what He has planned for me."
Ratliff said his new relationship with God has enabled him to handle the ups and downs of his job.
"Joy doesn't come from football, it comes from God," he said. "I wasn't joyless. I was happy, up and down, based on football. Now my attitude doesn't swing with football. It's about God."