The Browns' injury woes are mounting up. Head coach Eric Mangini announced today that the team placed DE Robaire Smith (back) and OT Tony Pashos (ankle) on injured reserve, ending their 2010 season.
Pashos had started the past three games at RT for the Browns in place of normal starter John St. Clair. There’s a good chance that St. Clair will not be ready to go this Sunday in New Orleans, meaning the Browns could be forced to start Floyd Womack.
The news is worse for Smith. His career could be in jeopardy due to back injuries. He is reportedly scheduled to undergo surgery and his future in football will be determined after that.
The Browns moved quickly to fill the roster openings, signing WR Yamon Figurs and OL Paul McQuistan.
The signing of Figurs may tell the tale on the seriousness of Josh Cribbs head injury. Figurs has made his mark in the NFL as a return man.
Figurs was a third-round pick out of Kansas State by the Baltimore Ravens in 2007, and has also played for the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raiders. Figurs only has five receptions in his career, but they covered 103 yards and one went for a 43-yard touchdown in 2008.
The 5'11", 185-pound Figurs has also averaged 8.1 yards on 42 punt returns and 23.0 yards on 85 kick returns, bringing one of each back for touchdowns.
McQuistan (6-6, 315) was a third-round pick out of Weber State by the Oakland Raiders in 2006. McQuistan has started 12 of his 35 NFL games, which also included a stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who released him at the end of this year’s training camp.