After suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during training camp, Cleveland Browns punter Reggie Hodges says he is ahead of schedule in his rehab assignment. Per Fred Greetham of Fox Sports Ohio, Hodges has been jogging and hopes to be ready for the team's offseason program that begins April 16th.
"I'm right on schedule," Hodges said. "There's no soreness." In a tweet by the Akron Beacon Journal, they say that Hodges has also been punting already as part of his rehab:
Reggie Hodges said he's been punting as part of his rehab from a torn Achilles. Expects to be ready to play in Week 1 next season.
Hodges was initially replaced by the shaky Richmond McGee, but he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. McGee was then replaced by veteran punter Brad Maynard, who was a savior of sorts at the position for the remainder of the season. The Browns could still give Maynard another look next season in case Hodges ends up being not as effective on punts as he was pre-injury. If Hodges is fine though, there's no reason not to make him the guy -- he is younger and has better depth and hang time on his punts.