Browns DE Desmond Bryant unlikely to return for 2016 season
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant is expected to make a full recovery from a torn pectoral muscle, but will likely miss the entire 2016 season, the team announced Wednesday.
Bryant sustained the injury lifting weights, and underwent surgery to repair the tear on Tuesday.
“While I'm frustrated and disappointed about having to miss some time out there with my teammates, I take comfort in knowing that preparations have already begun for an epic return,” Bryant said in a statement.
"We feel awful for Des. This is a young man that worked extremely hard this off season to prepare himself for the 2016 season,” head coach Hue Jackson said. “He really bought into our coaching, our team-over-self-philosophy and was intent on becoming a leader for our team.”
Bryant, 30, led the Browns in sacks last season with six, in addition to 24 tackles. The seven-year NFL veteran started all 14 of the 14 games he played in last season, and has started all 41 games he has played in his three seasons with the Browns.
He previously spent four seasons with the Oakland Raiders after signing with them as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
