BEREA, Ohio (May 25, 2005) -- Injured Browns tight end Kellen Winslow has not gotten a second medical opinion on the right knee he hurt when he crashed his motorcycle while attempting tricks in a parking lot.
Last week, two sources within the league told The Associated Press that Winslow tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in the May 1 accident, jeopardizing his 2005 season.
On May 25, first-year Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Winslow has been coming to the team's facility everyday for rehab and has participated in the club's 11-day voluntary passing camp. But Winslow was not on the field during the portion of practice open to the media on May 25.
"He comes out on the field and he has been learning the system just like everyone else has," Crennel said. "I told him I expected him to do that."
Riding a high-powered Suzuki he had just purchased, Winslow ran into a curb at 35 mph in a community college parking lot near his home and was flung over the handlebars into a landscaped area.
Surveillance tapes obtained by police in suburban Westlake showed him performing front wheelies before the wreck. He was charged with disregarding safety, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum fine of $150.
Winslow was hospitalized for nine days at the Cleveland Clinic with unspecified internal injuries. He has not spoken about the accident.
Crennel sounded eager to find out how long Winslow might be out.
"After he gets his second opinion we'll know more, and then maybe we can get this pushed out the door," Crennel said.
While he was in the hospital, Winslow apologized to Crennel him for letting the Browns down. In the past week, Crennel said the 21-year-old Winslow, who broke his leg in his second game as a rookie and missed 14 games, has spoken to some teammates.
"He's a young player who realizes that he's a part of a team and by the possibility of him not being there, that he's hurt the team," Crennel said. "But I think that he has hurt himself and he feels disappointment in himself and for himself more than anybody else.
"He's a football player and he wants to play football. His rehab was coming along good and he felt good about where he was, and then now to possibly have to take that step back, he's disappointed."
Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer said he has spoken to Winslow almost every day.
"These guys got me into video games for the first time in 10 years," Dilfer said. "It's been great getting to know K2. He's awesome to work with and I will continue to treat him like every other teammate. I have nothing but good things to say about Kellen Winslow."
Because Winslow breached a "dangerous activities" clause in his contract by riding a motorcycle, the Browns may ask him for a portion of the bonus money that he has already been paid as part of his six-year, $40 million deal.
Crennel was asked how Winslow might react if the Browns try to recoup some of their investment.
"I'm not sure," he said. "That's something that he and his agent are going to have to discuss and talk about and then they're going to have to make their determination whenever that occurs or if that occurs."
