BEREA – David Bowens is loved by teammates, revered by coaches and appreciated by the media.

Unfortunately, those things mean little in the cutthroat world of the NFL.

The 33-year-old linebacker has been hobbled by right knee problems since the start of training camp, placing him on the bubble to make the Browns’ regular-season roster.

“The only thing that keeps coming to my head is what my father told me in 2001 when Miami flew me down to work out (as a free agent),” Bowens said Monday. “He told me to make them keep me. I think that’s what keeps coming into my head right now.”

Bowens wound up earning a job with the Dolphins that season – one month after being cut by the Redskins and two months after the Bills had released him.

Since then, the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder has found steady employment, spending 5 1/2 years with Miami and two with the Jets before signing with Cleveland on March 12, 2009.

After missing the Browns’ first two preseason games, Bowens logged his first 2010 action Saturday in their 35-27 loss to the Detroit Lions. He made four tackles while playing with several units.

As important, Bowens’ ailing leg didn’t act up on the artificial turf at Ford Field.

“My knee’s fine, my knee’s holding up,” he said. “I’m getting limited reps in practice so my knee doesn’t swell, but going out there in a game and just having my first game, I felt a little funny.”

Cleveland coach Eric Mangini, who also was responsible for Bowens coming to New York, positioned himself squarely in his corner last week.

First-year general manager Tom Heckert Jr., however, has the final call on all roster decisions. Browns president Mike Holmgren also will play a large role in the process, which explains Bowens’ uneasiness about his status.

“It’s not worry (I have), it’s uncertainty,” he explained. “The head coach knows me and knows my ability, but the management don’t. That’s the uncertain part.”

Injury update

Safety Nick Sorensen, who was taken off the field on a stretcher in Detroit, was officially diagnosed with a concussion.

The nine-year veteran was drilled on a helmet-to-helmet collision by the Lions’ Caleb Campbell and Andre Fluellen during a second-quarter kickoff.

Sorensen had movement in his extremities at all times, though his agent Ron Del Duca joked on his Twitter account that he did take “home a five-pound bottle of aspirin” from the hospital.

• Tight end Robert Royal (right foot) was fitted with a walking boot and did not practice Monday.

Also not on the field were tackle John St. Clair and tight end Benjamin Watson, who were excused by Mangini to tend to personal matters.

• Rookie tackle Joel Reinders returned to action, while running back Montario Hardesty (right knee) took part in his first full team workout.

“I got a couple of reps in last week, just to get the feel of the game back,” Hardesty said. “But I’m going to try and do everything (today).”

• Guard Floyd Womack (knee surgery) said he was “feeling better, feeling good,” but was non-committal about being ready in time for the Sept. 12 season opener in Tampa Bay.

Ferocious Lion?

The most talked-about incident in Motown came when Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh grabbed Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme by the facemask, violently twisted his neck with both arms, then threw him down.

Suh was given a 15-yard facemask penalty, but easily could have been assessed a second personal foul and ejected. He was the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

“My experience in the draft process was he’s a good kid, so I don’t think he’s a malicious guy, but it was a poor decision on his part,” Mangini said. “He put the quarterback at risk.”

The first cut

All NFL teams must reduce their rosters from 80 to 75 today. The second cut date is Saturday, when 53-man rosters have to be set.

The Browns are currently carrying 79 players, which does not include Shaun Rogers (lower right leg) and C.J. Mosley (right ankle), who are on the physically unable to perform list. Mangini said both are getting closer to returning, but haven’t been given a timetable by the team’s medical staff.

Rogers also is awaiting word on a potential league suspension, stemming from his offseason arrest on gun charges. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the issue is still under review by commissioner Roger Goodell.

Extra points

Pro Football Weekly picks the Browns to finish last in the AFC North Division. It tabbed Baltimore first, followed by Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

• Former Cleveland wide receiver Antonio Bryant, who inked a four-year, $28 million contract in the spring, was cut by the Bengals. Cincinnati must pay him $7.85 million in guaranteed money.

Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com.

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