National Football League

Woeful Browns lose Pro Bowl NT for rest of 2009

Published Nov. 30, 2009 10:59 p.m. ET

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The generous gap in Cleveland's defense has grown to canyon-like proportions.

Already missing their two starting inside linebackers, the bad-as-they've-ever-been Browns lost Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers to a season-ending lower leg injury, another blow to a struggling unit that gave up 210 rushing yards on Sunday in Cincinnati.


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Rogers was injured in the final minutes of the 16-7 loss to the Bengals. He was accidentally struck on the side of the leg by teammate C.J. Mosley, bending the 6-foot-4, 350-plus-pound Rogers awkwardly over a pile of players. He had to be carted off the field.

Browns coach Eric Mangini, who rarely addresses injuries, opened his Monday news conference with an update that Rogers' season was over.

"In terms of Big Baby, he's going to be going on IR (injured reserve)," Mangini said, using Rogers' nickname. "So, not very good news there."

Mangini said Rogers will need surgery. The Browns previously lost linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton, who also sustained season-ending injuries and were placed on IR.

Cleveland's injury woes don't end there.

Browns starting safety Brodney Pool sustained a concussion — at least the fourth of his career — while defensive end Kenyon Coleman and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley suffered knee injuries.

"It's tough, but the game still has to be played," said linebacker David Bowens, who has had to shift from outside to inside linebacker in Cleveland's 3-4 system. "What guys need to understand is what we're doing schematically on defense and how they fit in and our goal each week. When we have injuries, guys need to understand that you can't really get down on it. You have to move forward.

"Sad as it is to lose those guys, the game has to be played on Sunday."

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