Browns starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be fine after suffering a left hand injury in Thursday night's preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Taylor dislocated his pinky finger and bruised his left hand, head coach Hue Jackson said Friday on a conference call, and won't miss practice time with the season opener fast approaching.
"He's sore," Jackson said, "but he's going to be fine."
Taylor fell awkwardly on his hand out of bounds while scrambling left on a fourth-and-1 near the end zone with 6:13 to play in the first quarter. He underwent X-rays in the team's locker room shortly thereafter and was cleared to play by Cleveland's medical staff, returning a series later.
It's why Jackson allowed Taylor, who finished with 65 yards passing on 11-of-15 attempts, rejoin the first-team offense for the remainder of the half.
"I felt he needed to, because our offensive football team at that time needed to play together. They needed his leadership. He needed to be out there playing with them," Jackson said.
"I think it's important for them to develop that chemistry, so I felt comfortable that when we put him back out there, things were OK. Obviously, when he wasn't out here and he was inside before he came back, all kinds of thoughts go through your head. But I feel good about where he is and what he'll be able to do in the future."
Taylor was traded to Cleveland this spring following three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. The one-time Pro Bowler was named the team's starter March 15.
— Denzel Ward, who left Thursday's game with a back injury, is expected to make a full recovery after experiencing back spasms, Jackson said. The rookie cornerback suffered the injury tackling Eagles tight end Zach Ertz on the Browns' first defensive series. He was able to get up and walk with the help of the team's medical staff after several minutes lying face down. "We don't think that he will miss much time, if any," Jackson said.
— Rookie linebacker Genard Avery, who has been as impressive as any of the Browns' youngsters, will miss "some time" with a hip injury, Jackson said. Avery, a fifth-round pick from Memphis, has been taking some first-team reps with Cleveland's defense and strip-sacked Eagles quarterback Nick Foles in the first quarter.
"He's coming on. He did a tremendous job last night of rushing the passer and being in the right spot to make plays," Jackson said. "You see his tenacity. He is relentless – he's a very relentless player, I have seen that over the last couple of weeks … I just see glimpses of a young player who is going to be able to contribute to our football team in his rookie year."
— Free safety Damarious Randall (knee) did not play Thursday night for what Jackson described as precautionary measures. Randall was expected to suit before his knee tightened up during pregame warm-ups. "He should be back at practice tomorrow," Jackson said.
