BEREA — Jaguars wide receiver Dennis Northcutt spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Browns, but claims his first game against them will be nothing special on Sunday afternoon.
“I hear a lot of guys that can’t wait to play their ex-team — obviously I have some ties there — but to me, it’s really just another game,’’ he said Wednesday on a conference call. “There’s not even much into it for me. It’s really about just playing another game and trying to get a ‘W’.’’
Northcutt signed with Jacksonville as a free agent in 2007 after a largely productive stay in Cleveland that saw him develop into a valuable receiver and become the team’s all-time leading punt returner.
The Arizona product caught 276 passes with the Browns, which is tied for 10th place in franchise history and ranks seventh all-time among their WR group (behind Gary Collins, Kevin Johnson, Brian Brennan, Reggie Rucker, Webster Slaughter and Ray Renfro).
“I know a lot of guys are still there from when I was there, but we just go out and play our game,’’ said Northcutt, who played alongside 23 members of Cleveland’s current roster. “We’re going to make sure we’re tuned in to what they’re doing so we can block them up and be able to be successful.
“Look at the New York game (a 35-14 Browns win on Monday Night Football). They came out and played very good on defense and on offense. You can’t ever underestimate any team.’’
Statistically speaking, Northcutt is having his least productive season as a pro with a mere eight receptions in Jacksonville’s first six games.
The 30-year-old also has given way to rookie Brian Witherspoon as the Jaguars’ primary punt returner, but figures to have an expanded role the rest of the season due to injuries and the ongoing legal problems of top wideout Matt Jones.
“Dennis has been solid, he’s been a good player for us,’’ Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said. “(At 5-foot-11 and 172 pounds), he gives us a little bit of a change from what we’ve had with our bigger receivers. He’s got good quickness and he’s been a good pro the entire time he’s been here. He’s a smart, dependable guy.’’

Injury update

Browns defensive end Shaun Smith (left hand surgery) will miss his third straight game, while linebacker Shantee Orr (foot) is likely to join him on the sideline. Also sitting out practice Wednesday and considered questionable are safety Mike Adams (hamstring), tight end Steve Heiden (strained pectoral), guard/tackle Ryan Tucker (knee) and defensive tackle Corey Williams (left shoulder).
Heiden said he is planning on playing Sunday, while rookie tight end Martin Rucker, who underwent knee surgery during training camp, hopes to make his NFL debut the same day.
“I’m getting better, feeling good,’’ Rucker said. “If my number is called, I will be ready.’’
• For the Jaguars, wide receiver Mike Walker (knee) is out. Defensive tackle Rob Meier (knee) and guard Tutan Reyes (knee) were limited in practice.

Extra points

NFL Network insider Adam Scheffter reported that the Browns quietly shopped Kellen Winslow Jr. around the league before the trade deadline.
• Kicker Phil Dawson is 9-for-9 on field goal attempts from 39 yards and in, but is 0-for-2 on longer tries.
• Jacksonville leads its all-time series with Cleveland 8-2.

Quote of the day

“It’s a scary thing, but I’m not too worried about it. I’m still going to shower here.’’ — Browns quarterback Derek Anderson on the abundance of staph infections on the team in recent years.
Contact Brian Dulik at (330) 721-4059 or brisports@hotmail.com. 

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