James Jackson’s ribs continue to be a problem, but the pain isn’t enough to force the running back out of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jackson injured the ribs in the Browns’ win over Jacksonville. He missed the second half of that game, but he was able to play in the 20-16 win over San Diego.
Asked if he will continue to wear a protective vest on Sunday, he said without hesitation that he would.
“They might be (cracked). I don’t know,” Jackson said. “I hurt real bad. I have trouble sometimes making certain movements and turns and stuff like that. It feels like it’s slowing me down a little bit. My coaches keep asking me, ‘Are you all right?’ They see the same thing. Hopefully, it will be better on game day.”
Jackson lost a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Chargers. He said the reason he lost the ball was because he was holding it on the side where the padding in the vest protrudes from his body.
NOT A PROBLEM: Kevin Johnson has never been a big fan of returning punts, but he’s been forced to handle those chores this season while Dennis Northcutt has recovered from a bruised shoulder. Johnson claims it won’t bother him if he’s asked to continue returning punts.
“If it’s to help the team, I’ll do it,” Johnson said. “I feel I have sure hands and can go get the ball. It’s no problem.”
Coach Butch Davis said after practice on Thursday that Northcutt might return punts on Sunday. It will be a game-day decision.
INJURY REPORT: The only change for the Browns was the addition of offensive lineman Toby Myles, who is questionable with a back injury.
Bengals linebacker Riall Johnson has been upgraded from questionable to probable.