CLEVELAND — Quarterback Derek Anderson and wide receivers Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius returned to the field Thursday night.
Literally.
Though none of them played in the Browns’ preseason finale against the Chicago Bears, they were on the grass surface at Cleveland Browns Stadium, supporting their teammates.
It marked Jurevicius’ first public appearance in several months as he recovers from knee surgery and a staph infection, as well as the initial Edwards’ sighting since he had his right foot spiked in an Aug. 9 post-practice mishap.
Anderson briefly practiced three days ago, but was held out of the game as a precautionary measure. He suffered a concussion Aug. 18 at Giants Stadium.
Coach Romeo Crennel said he expects Anderson and Edwards to be at full-go when the club resumes practicing Monday — and in the starting lineup when the Browns open the regular season Sept. 7 against Dallas.
Also on the Cleveland sideline were injured tackle Ryan Tucker (hip surgery), tight end Martin Rucker (knee surgery) and linebacker Antwan Peek (knee surgery). All three are in danger of being placed on the physically unable to perform list — requiring them to sit out the first six weeks of the regular season — when the roster is reduced to 53 active players Saturday.

Catching up

Wide receiver Travis Wilson greatly improved his chances of making the Browns by collecting a game-high six receptions in the first half. The third-year pro and third-round draft choice had been singled out as “on the bubble” by Crennel earlier in the week. Wilson and Donte Stallworth were the starting WRs against Chicago.
• Steve Sanders also made a statement by grabbing a high throw over the middle from Brady Quinn deep in Bears territory. At 6-foot-3, Sanders is the tallest of the contenders for the third receiver spot. The Cleveland native has many fans in the organization because of his work ethic, but is battling Wilson, Syndric Steptoe and rookies Paul Hubbard and Lance Leggett for no more than three roster berths.

Ouch

The Browns’ offensive line, which hasn’t cloaked itself in glory this preseason, took another hit when Rex Hadnot exited with a knee injury. Hadnot, who is starting at right guard until Tucker is able to play, gingerly walked to the sideline and is considered day-to-day.
• Steptoe left with a shoulder injury, allowing Gerard Lawson to step into his role as the backup punt and kickoff returner. An update on Steptoe’s condition was not made available prior to the start of the third quarter. Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs has not played in two weeks since going down with a high-ankle sprain.

Brownie bits

The Browns and Bears have played eight times in Cleveland’s last 11 preseasons, dating to 1994. The clubs will next meet in the regular season in 2009 at Soldier Field, marking just their 14th matchup that counts — despite both being in the NFL since 1950.
Contact Brian Dulik at 329-7135  or sports@ohio.net.

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