BEREA – There were some scary moments at Browns practice Saturday when Ryan Miller was injured during practice and taken to the Cleveland Clinic by emergency medical personnel.
Practice was stopped and the field house was silent for nearly 10 minutes as team trainers and medical personnel worked on Miller. He was then immobilized on a stretcher and put into the ambulance.
"He is awake and alert and has movement in all extremities," team spokesman Dan Murphy said.
Miller (6-7, 320) was a fifth-round draft choice of the Browns (160th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. He appeared in eight of 16 games as a reserve. Miller turned 24 on July 6.
"Ryan Miller was injured early in practice with a head injury," head coach Rob Chudzinski said after practice. "He was taken to the hospital after a medical staff treated him on the field. They were able to transport him to the hospital. At this time, Ryan is doing well. He's responsive and it sounds like things are better at this point.
"We'll continue to give updates on (him). I plan on visiting Ryan tonight and seeing him."
Fellow offensive linemen Joe Thomas was right there when it happened.
"It was during one-on-one run blocking drills," he said. "I think it was a concussion-type (injury)."
Thomas said that Miller was unconscious.
After Miller was taken by ambulance, the entire team gathered in a circle on a knee and appeared to pray for him. "We got together and said a prayer and said let's keep Ryan in our thoughts," Chudzinski said. "But I told them we need to get back out there and get to work."
Chudzinski said he was impressed with the team's focus. "I thought they did a great job," he said. "It says a lot about them and our coaches to be able to do that. this team is a family and when something happens like that, it's tough. But these guys remained focused."
Thomas said he is close with Miller.
"My heart goes out to him," he said. "He's a nice guy. He's hard working and we're praying for him."
