Browns' Phil Dawson has thigh bruise

Updated: October 24, 2011, 5:41 PM ET
Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio -- Turns out, Browns kicker Phil Dawson made two long field goals on one healthy leg.

Dawson bruised his right thigh early in a 6-3 win over Seattle on Sunday, when he accounted for all of Cleveland's points by making field goals of 52 and 53 yards -- the first time in his NFL career he has made two kicks beyond 50 yards in a game. Although Dawson's injury was to his kicking leg, he continued to play.

AFC North blog

Hensley ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley writes about all things AFC North in his division blog.

• Blog network: NFL Nation

"He actually gutted it out pretty good," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Monday.

Dawson is not likely to kick when the Browns return to practice on Wednesday, said Shurmur, who is hopeful the 13-year veteran will be ready for this week's game at San Francisco. Shurmur said the team has no immediate plans to bring in another placekicker to fill in while Dawson heals.

Shurmur wasn't sure exactly when Dawson was injured, but it may have been in the first quarter when he helped make the tackle after his 48-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant. In the fourth quarter, Bryant blocked Dawson's 24-yarder.

Dawson received treatment following the game, and emerged from the trainer's room carrying a bag of ice. Dawson refused to discuss his injury.

"Old age," the 36-year-old Dawson joked. "When you get to be my age everything hurts."

He isn't the only Brown hurting.

Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and tight end Benjamin Watson sustained concussions in the first half against the Seahawks. Shurmur said both players are day-to-day, and that it's too early to know if they'll be able to play against the 49ers. Both Massaquoi and Watson have history with concussions.

Massaquoi missed one game last season after he was hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who was fined for the helmet-to-helmet shot. Watson suffered a concussion during a drill in the first practice of training camp this summer.

Also, Shurmur said an MRI revealed starting right guard Shawn Lauvao only sustained a bruised knee against the Seahawks. The Browns were worried Lauvao's injury might have been worse.

Running back Peyton Hillis, who missed Sunday's game with a strained hamstring, did some running on Monday. Shurmur said Hillis is "progressing well."

Shurmur also had positive news on linebacker Scott Fujita, who sat out Sunday with a concussion.


Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

ESPN Conversations

comments

MORE NFL HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM

Most Sent »