BEREA — Left guard Eric Steinbach had just finished working out in the pool Monday and was optimistic he’d be able to return to the starting lineup Monday night in Buffalo.
Steinbach, who revealed he tore an oblique muscle Nov. 2 against Baltimore, left that game in the third quarter and was inactive Thursday night against Denver. He said he doesn’t need surgery.
“In one week’s time it’s gotten a lot better,” he said. “So that’s what makes me feel pretty optimistic for the upcoming game in Buffalo.
“I’m going to take it a day at a time and keep doing my strengthening drills. Later in this week if I feel better, go out there and run around a little bit and test it. I like where I’m feeling right now.”
Steinbach, who started all 16 games in 2007, has missed two of the nine games this season. He missed Week 3 with a shoulder injury. Steinbach said a loss of strength isn’t an issue with the oblique, rather it’s just a matter of giving it enough time to heal.
Seth McKinney filled in for Steinbach the last two weeks.

Injury report

Crennel said he didn’t know if fullback Lawrence Vickers, who suffered a high ankle sprain
Oct. 26 in Jacksonville and missed the last two games, will be able to practice this week. He felt better about nose tackle Shaun Rogers (stinger) and backup tight end Darnell Dinkins (ribs), who were injured Thursday night.
“I think both of those guys will be OK as we go into this week,” Crennel said.

The Wimbley project

Outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley has just two sacks this season, including one Thursday night, so Crennel was asked what can be done to get more production from the former first-round pick.
“We might experiment with maybe moving him around some,” he said. “But an issue there is the practice time and the looks that you’re going to see when you do that.
“We tossed it around. Whether we do it or not, we’re not sure.”
Wimbley had 11 sacks as a rookie in 2006 and five last year.

Special day

Running back Jason Wright will pick up sixth-grader Dominick Groppi from his house today in a limousine, take him to Garfield Heights Middle School, visit the principal’s office and speak to students about the importance of good health.
Wright will also lead kids in fitness activities, as part of NFL’s PLAY 60 campaign, helping youth get 60 minutes of exercise a day.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

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