If any team has had an opportunity for a young wide receiver to step up and get playing time the last couple of years, it's the Cleveland Browns. Yet third-year WR Carlton Mitchell has yet to do so.
Mitchell wasn't a factor in his 2010 rookie year and a broken finger in 2011 training camp derailed him last season. And, even though ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi has called him a player to watch this year, an unspecified leg injury has kept the 6'3, 215-pound Mitchell from making an impact this preseason. Mitchell was frustrated, yet hopeful, in comments to Grossi on Monday.
“You work so hard in the offseason …,” Mitchell said, tailing off. “For things to happen the way they did, it’s very unfortunate. But everything is for a reason. I’m finally getting back to my normal self. Today I was limited, and took the safe route. I need to practice. I hate missing. I’m going crazy. It’s just tough. I’m not gonna lie.”
So far this preseason, Mitchell caught a 33-yard reception against Detroit and didn't play against Green Bay because of the injury. The Browns host the Philadelphia Eagles for their third preseason game Friday night.
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