Surprise: WR Edwards practices with Browns
NFL.com wire reports
BEREA, Ohio (July 29, 2006) -- Orange helmet in hand and wearing "I'M" on one wrist and "BACK" on the other, Braylon Edwards burst through the glass doors of Browns headquarters and sprinted onto the practice field as if it were an NFL Sunday.
For Edwards, it felt like one.
"This is the happiest I've ever been," Edwards said.
Cleveland's second-year wide receiver, who underwent knee surgery in January and wasn't expected to be ready to play in games until October, unexpectedly returned to practice for the first time with the Browns.
Edwards tore the anterior cruciate ligament while trying to make a leaping catch against Jacksonville on Dec. 4, ending his rookie season and requiring him to undergo surgery Jan. 3.
But just short of seven months into his rehab, more than two months before expected, Edwards is playing football again.
"I shouldn't be where I am," he said. "But I am."
Edwards thinks he might even be able to play in the Browns' season opener on Sept. 10 against New Orleans.
"It's looking real good," said Edwards, who attributed his quick comeback to hard work, youth and some good genes. "I think my body is a little different than anybody's. I do have a little something special."
Edwards said he would be "shocked" if he weren't back to 100 percent by Oct. 1.
The Browns, who have been snake-bitten by major injuries in recent years, initially targeted Sept. 1 as Edwards return date for practice. However, the 6-foot-3, 212-pounder who was taken with the No. 3 overall selection in the 2005 draft, was way ahead of the club's medical timetable.
Edwards said he was running only three months after surgery, and that during his entire recovery he and the Browns' medical staff has pushed him only as much as his knee would allow.
"God forbid, if anything happens to our race and creed," Browns owner Randy Lerner said, "they should use his DNA to rebuild the population."
Edwards had to first pass a physical and be medically cleared by team doctors before he could practice. The Browns had placed the former Michigan star on the active physically unable to perform list when camp opened.
As Edwards ran onto the field, he was cheered by hundreds of Browns fans who never expected to see him so soon. Edwards' arrival helps soften the loss of center LeCharles Bentley, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first play of 11-on-11 drills on July 27.
Edwards' return also meant the Browns could finally see him and Kellen Winslow, their top pick in 2004, on the field together. Winslow missed most of the past two seasons with serious leg injuries.
During the early stages of practice, Edwards and Winslow played catch and during a lull, Edwards heaved the ball toward the other side of the field trying to hit Winslow, who had turned his back for a moment.
"We got real close in the offseason," Edwards said. "We talk every day about what we want to do for this organization. He and I are going to make some magic this year, and for years to come."
The Browns are counting on the pair as targets for second-year quarterback Charlie Frye and to improve an offense that scored a league-low 232 points last season.
About midway through the workout, Edwards ran over and slapped hands with fans standing along one sideline.
Edwards won't be involved in any contact for some time because the Browns will be cautious with him. He did take part in some team drills, and made his first catch of camp by hauling in a short pass from quarterback Ken Dorsey.
Edwards missed the first two weeks of training camp last summer in a contract holdout. The missed time put him behind and he didn't become a regular starter until midway through last season.
He finished with 32 catches for 512 yards and three touchdowns, two of them coming in the first half of the game he was hurt.
"I think all of this has made me mentally stronger player, stronger than I've ever been," Edwards said.
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