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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2009 > September > 01
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tucker placed on injured reserve
Ryan Tucker perhaps has played his last NFL game. That’s just speculation, of course, but the offensive lineman wound up on injured reserve today (not released yet, as some outlets reported), and that’s never a good sign for a veteran.
Reports are that Tucker had surgery last week, but the Browns (of course) would not confirm it. Nor would they say if Tucker is automatically out for the season with this designation. Most likely they’ll reach an injury settlement and cut him loose at some point.
Whatever happens, Tucker’s loss is a blow to the Browns on the field, and also to anyone who deals with the team on a day-to-day basis. There wasn’t a better guy in that locker room when it came to being available and accountable, even after the toughest losses.
Head coach Eric Mangini put it this way: “Ryan is such a good guy. He is such a fun guy to work with as a coach, because of his approach, his professionalism, all the things that you look for as part of a team, as a coaching staff.
“He’s an excellent locker room guy. He’s an excellent example of what a pro should be and that’s how you usually have longevity in the league. He has great toughness and passion for the game. There are a lot of really fine traits with him as a player and as a person.”
Tucker, though, had not exactly been an ironman on the field in recent seasons. There were injuries to his knee and hip, various surgeries and even a bout with depression that kept him out of the mix for a while.
So while his versatility would have come in handy, it’s doubtful the team was counting heavily on him, especially after bringing in a bunch of free-agent linemen of various (dubious?) skill levels in the offseason.
The only sure things on the O-line continue to be left tackle Joe Thomas and left guard Eric Steinbach. Rookie Alex Mack is the likely center because they figure he’s at least as good as Hank Fraley and they didn’t draft him in the first round to keep the bench warm.
Such underwelming talents as John St. Clair, Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack and Rex Hadnot are vying for spots on the right side. Tucker, who had been with the Browns since 2002, has played both guard and tackle. Guard Fred Weary also went on IR today, further eroding the depth.
In another move, the Browns traded reserve defensive end Louis Leonard to Carolina but would not say for whom or what. I’ll go out of a limb right now and say it’s not Julius Peppers. Actually, it’s a low-round 2010 draft pick. Carolina media report that it’s a seventh-rounder.
“That’s another area we’ll keep internal,” Belich … er, Mangini, said. “That will be the case with all trades.”
