Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme is "very encouraged" by his progress, but will leave it up to coaches to decide if he is able to play Sunday against Atlanta.
Quarterback Jake Delhomme is encouraged by his progress in his recovery from a sprained ankle and hopes he will be able to be the Browns' starting quarterback on Sunday. "I did a lot more [Wednesday] than I did last week and it didn't blow up on me," he said before Thursday's practice. "The coaches can make that decision, but the film doesn't lie. They'll be able to see through the course of the week whether I can be effective or help or hurt our team."
Delhomme moved well on the ankle in practice Thursday, not favoring it on dropbacks, rollouts or while walking from drill to drill.
"It's about the team and giving us the best chance to win," said Delhomme. "There's nothing greater than last Sunday, those 10 minutes in the locker room after the game. Job well done, mission accomplished."
Coach Eric Mangini said he will increase Delhomme's workload throughout the week to see how the ankle responds.
"We'll just keep playing it by ear through the end of the week," said Mangini. "We've got to keep doing a few different things we need him to do and test those through the course of the week, so I'm optimistic."
In the meantime, Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are still splitting reps. "Both guys will be prepared to play on Sunday," said Mangini.
Delhomme said he would be better prepared to escape the rush this week. "Last week, I don't know how swift I would've been," he admitted.
He said he has been in the same boat as rookie guard Shawn Lauvao, who suffered a high ankle sprain in practice around the same time. He was limited Thursday too.
"He's about four days ahead of me in this process," said Delhomme. "It's been very similar in the things we feel and whatnot. It was actually nice."
He said he's not sure how much the passing game would open up with him under center.
"We'll see," he said. "I think Seneca [Wallace] has played outstanding. I think he's done a phenomenal job."'"
If Delhomme starts against his former NFC South foe, it will be his 13th time. In seven seasons with the Panthers, he went 6-6 against them, with 16 TDs, eight INTs and a 90.1 passer rating. He lost in Atlanta last year, a 28-20 decision in Week 2, but came back in Week 9 and beat them at home, 28-19. It was one of his four victories in 11 starts before breaking a finger. He threw two TD passes, no INTs and earned his season-best 115.8 rating.
Hillis thigh: Browns workhorse Peyton Hillis was added to the Browns' injury report with a thigh injury and was limited. No players or coaches were available after practice.
Mack still idle: Center Alex Mack, who had his injured right shoulder wrapped Thursday, missed his second straight day of practice, one of five players still resting. Rookie Lauvao has gotten reps in his place and Steve Vallos is also a backup center. "Shawn did a nice job with his chances," said Mangini. The other idle players were right tackle John St. Clair, ends Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman and safety Nick Sorensen. Three others besides Delhomme, Lauvao and Hillis were limited. They were Josh Cribbs (ankle), receiver Brian Robiskie (hamstring), and Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip).
Coach Eric Mangini says running back Jerome Harrison is not in the dog house, it's just that he is getting vewer carries because Peyton Hillis has been so effective.Harrison not in doghouse: Mangini said that Jerome Harrison isn't in his doghouse even though the running back got no carries last week and trotted out only at the end for the victory formation.
"No, not at all," said Mangini. "He'll probably have some opportunities this week and every week is different. No, that's not the case at all."
He said he's going with the hot hand in Hillis "but it's not a function of Jerome being looked at any differently."
As for putting him in on the three kneeldowns, Mangini said he was only thinking about, 'Can we eat up all of this time right now and get in the right formation?' There was nothing more than that."
Hardesty sighting: Rookie running back Montario Hardesty, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, was seen in the locker room for the first time since suffering the injury in the preseason finale. He declined to be interviewed, but offered, "I feel good."... The Browns signed defensive back DeAngelo Smith to the practice squad and released defensive lineman Boo Robinson.