BEREA - There could be changes on the right side of the Browns' offensive line Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Floyd Womack started at right guard and John St. Clair got the call at right tackle last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coach Eric Mangini said Monday that he was pleased with their performances, but that doesn't mean he won't make some moves.
Rookie Shaun Lauvao performed well in preseason and was seemingly on track to start at right guard. That changed when he suffered a mild ankle injury early last week, which resulted in inactive status against the Bucs.
Lauvao didn't practice Wednesday but there's a chance he could get on the field before the end of the week. If he's healthy he might get playing time against the Chiefs.
"I think we're a lot closer," Mangini said. "I was relatively optimistic last week, but I think that each day that goes by it gets better, and I'm hopeful."
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Tony Pashos get a starting assignment. Pashos, who was signed during the offseason, was apparently expected to start at right tackle, but he suffered a setback because of a shoulder injury.
Pashos played on special teams while St. Clair took snaps at right tackle against the Bucs. Pashos could play at tackle or guard.
"I could see Tony playing this week," Mangini said. "John can play inside at guard or if it's Floyd and Tony, there's no lack of comfort there either. Typically, you don't sub in and out the tackles, but I'm comfortable if Tony plays."
BAD SHOWING: The return units didn't get off to a good start. Joshua Cribbs managed just 15 yards on three punts returns. He was limited to an average of 15.3 yards on three kick returns.
"There were some missed opportunities that we had on the reads and some balls that we could have handled better," Mangini said. "We put the ball on the ground one time, that kills you. In terms of the blocking, there were a couple things that we could have handled better. You wish you could just look at it and say it was just right here where it happens, but in the kicking game typically the difference between a big play and not a big play is one guy."
OFF DAY: Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers, who had ankle surgery late last season, didn't practice Wednesday. Rogers spent all of training camp on the active physically unable to perform list to rest the ankle.
Rogers appeared on 20-to-25 plays last week and recorded one tackle.
"We were looking to have that range of snaps," Mangini said. "We didn't think it was going to be a 60-play deal for him just because he hasn't worked as much as he would of liked or we would have liked."
INJURY REPORT: Not able to practice Wednesday were quarterback Jake Delhomme (ankle), linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (chest), Lauvao, defensive back Derrick Roberson (hip) and Rogers. Players that were limited were linebacker Marcus Benard (shoulder), long snapper Ryan Pontbriand (ankle), defensive back Nick Sorensen (concussion) and Womack (knee). Jackson, who was hurt early in camp, is almost ready to return to practice.
ROSTER MOVES: Running back Thomas Clayton and defensive back DeAndre Wright were signed to the practice squad. Released were defensive back DeAngelo Smith and running back Andre Anderson.
