National Football League

Scott Fujita not playing in opener

Published Sep. 9, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Browns linebacker Scott Fujita will not play in the season opener against the Eagles despite having his three-game suspension for his role in the Saints bounty scandal lifted.

Fujita was reinstated by the NFL and cleared to play on Friday, when a three-member appeals panel vacated the suspensions for him, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith, and free-agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove.

The Browns are keeping Fujita on an exemption list, allowing them to carry 54 on their roster. Fujita was slowed by a leg injury during the exhibition season and may still not be fully recovered.

With Fujita out and rookie James-Michael Johnson sidelined with an oblique injury, rookie L.J. Fort will start.

The 33-year-old Fujita stretched down on the field before kickoff and briefly chatted with incoming owner Jimmy Haslam III.

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