chris1969
Footballguy
Mary Kay Cabot Plain Dealer Reporter
Browns center LeCharles Bentley will undergo a physical Monday in New York with Dr. Russell Warren, the next step in his bid to return this season from a torn patella tendon and a severe staph infection.
"I think they're going to pass him," said Bentley's agent, Jonathan Feinsod. "Then, he can start preparing for the Steelers on Sept. 9."
If Bentley passes the physical, he'll most likely then have to pass the Browns' physical by team physician Dr. Tony Miniaci, and perhaps that of a third doctor. If he passes those, he'll report to camp with the rest of the veterans on Friday.
"We're hopeful that LeCharles can make it back," said Browns General Manager Phil Savage. "It's been a long, difficult road for him and we could get excited if he is truly able to return."
Bentley said last month that if he is cleared to practice, he'll most likely be limited at the start of camp and not participate in contact drills for a few weeks. But he has his sights set on the Sept. 9 home opener against Pittsburgh.
Bentley, who has been rehabbing in Phoenix, returned this week to attend the funeral of his father, Charles Milton, 85, who died Sunday after a brief illness. Bentley delivered the eulogy at his father's funeral on Friday.
He also met with coach Romeo Crennel and trainer Marty Lauzon at the Browns' facility on Thursday to discuss his comeback.
Bentley has undergone four surgeries since tearing his patella tendon last July on the first contact drill of the 2006 training camp, one to repair the tendon and three others related to the limb- and life-threatening staph infection that penetrated the joint a month later.
He was scheduled to undergo a fifth surgery on June 3 to have the tendon repaired, but Dr. Warren determined the surgery was unnecessary for Bentley to live a normal life. Monday, Warren will decide if it's strong enough to undergo the rigors of professional football.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670
I find this one hard to believe. I see him starting out on the PUP list.
Browns center LeCharles Bentley will undergo a physical Monday in New York with Dr. Russell Warren, the next step in his bid to return this season from a torn patella tendon and a severe staph infection.
"I think they're going to pass him," said Bentley's agent, Jonathan Feinsod. "Then, he can start preparing for the Steelers on Sept. 9."
If Bentley passes the physical, he'll most likely then have to pass the Browns' physical by team physician Dr. Tony Miniaci, and perhaps that of a third doctor. If he passes those, he'll report to camp with the rest of the veterans on Friday.
"We're hopeful that LeCharles can make it back," said Browns General Manager Phil Savage. "It's been a long, difficult road for him and we could get excited if he is truly able to return."
Bentley said last month that if he is cleared to practice, he'll most likely be limited at the start of camp and not participate in contact drills for a few weeks. But he has his sights set on the Sept. 9 home opener against Pittsburgh.
Bentley, who has been rehabbing in Phoenix, returned this week to attend the funeral of his father, Charles Milton, 85, who died Sunday after a brief illness. Bentley delivered the eulogy at his father's funeral on Friday.
He also met with coach Romeo Crennel and trainer Marty Lauzon at the Browns' facility on Thursday to discuss his comeback.
Bentley has undergone four surgeries since tearing his patella tendon last July on the first contact drill of the 2006 training camp, one to repair the tendon and three others related to the limb- and life-threatening staph infection that penetrated the joint a month later.
He was scheduled to undergo a fifth surgery on June 3 to have the tendon repaired, but Dr. Warren determined the surgery was unnecessary for Bentley to live a normal life. Monday, Warren will decide if it's strong enough to undergo the rigors of professional football.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670
I find this one hard to believe. I see him starting out on the PUP list.