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Browns Receive Some Positive News on Bodden

By Chris Pokorny
The Browns will have a tough time with Steve Smith if Bodden and Baxter are out.
Today, Romeo Crennel stated that the only player that has been officially ruled out for this Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers is rookie safety Justin Hamilton. The important injuries right now involve our starting cornerbacks, Gary Baxter and Leigh Bodden. Here is a bit of a status report on each of them:

- Leigh Bodden: He did practice on Friday, which is definitely a good sign, since he missed Wednesday's and Thursday's practice. Bodden wore a walking boot on his right ankle Friday, and stated that his status is currently a game-time decision. According to Bodden via the OBR, his chances of playing this week are 60-40, in favor of playing slightly.

"I want to play," he said. "I'm getting better. Hopefully I'll feel better in two days than I do now. I'm going to be smart, but I feel like I can bounce back and play."
- Leigh Bodden, to the OBR

"I'd say there's a realistic chance I'll play. I'm going to go out on the field today and see. I won't do too much because the game is two days away, but we'll see."
- Leigh Bodden, to ClevelandBrowns.com

- Gary Baxter: He has not played the past two weeks due to his pectoral injury, and there are no glaring signs that he will suddenly play this week. Baxter, unlike Bodden, will not discuss his situation with the media (according to the OBR). It seems a bit odd that he would keep his status disclosed so much, so I'd say it would be a big shock if he played this week.

If Bodden and Baxter cannot go this week, Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson will feast on Ralph Brown and Daven Holley. If Antonio Perkins doesn't get some extended playing time if that happens, then something must really be wrong with him, either physically or a pure lack of talent. Speaking of cornerbacks, rookie cornerback DeMario Minter is eligible to return from the PUP list soon, and will begin practicing again soon.

Here is a nice article on Kamerion Wimbley, as well as some nice comments by his agent, Joe Litna, that you do not want to miss.

One more note: fullback Lawrence Vickers was added to the injury report due to an undisclosed illness. He is currently listed as questionable. And, the Browns have never beaten the Carolina Panthers, even though we've only faced them twice.

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