Cleveland Browns linebacker James-Michael Johnson is expected to make his NFL debut on Sunday in New York. Johnson suffered an oblique injury in the Browns final game of the preseason against the Bears, and has not been healthy enough to play in the teams first four games. Dick Jauron says he will be worked in slowly, first with special teams before his role with the defense increases. Via The News-Herald:
"It's really good to have him back, to get somebody back. We were counting on him to contribute throughout the whole year. We're excited to get him back on the field. Now we've just got to see because it's his first week back in full practice."
"He's moving well. If he has any soreness, it's very minimal. He'll have to work his way back in. It'll be a lot of special teams and then we'll see what happens defensively as we move along."
Johnson was a fourth-round pick for the Bears out of the University of Nevada, and he spent the majority of the preseason playing strong side linebacker. He was expected to see significant action for Cleveland in 2012.
The Browns defense currently ranks No. 25 in the NFL, allowing 403 yards per game. On Sunday, they'll be facing a Giants offense ranked No. 7 in the league, gaining 411 yards per game and scoring 27.8 points per contest. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET from New York, and it will be televised on CBS.
