Browns' Jackson out 3 to 7 weeks

8/13/2010

BEREA, Ohio - Cleveland starting inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who initially feared he might be lost for the season, will be sidelined for at least a few weeks with a strained right pectoral muscle, the second chest muscle injury the four-year veteran has sustained in less than a year.

Yesterday, Jackson got positive news on the injury when he got a second opinion from the surgeon who reattached his left pectoral muscle in October. Dr. Frank Cordasco agreed with the diagnosis by Cleveland's medical staff and determined Jackson will not need surgery.

Jackson will begin rehab and should be back within three to seven weeks. Jackson could return for the Sept. 12 opener at Tampa Bay.

When he got hurt on Tuesday, Jackson, who missed Cleveland's final 10 games last season with the chest injury, left the field dejectedly and was visibly upset when he returned to watch the final 30 minutes.

The temporary loss of Jackson will force the Browns to shuffle their linebacking group, a unit the club strengthened during the offseason by signing free agent Scott Fujita, who won a Super Bowl ring with New Orleans, and acquiring Chris Gocong, a three-year player with Philadelphia, in a trade.

Gocong has been playing alongside Jackson in the interior of Cleveland's 3-4 alignment during camp. With Jackson out, Eric Barton likely will slide into the middle, a spot he owned until injuring his neck and sitting out the Browns' final eight games last season.

Linebacker is the one position where the Browns can claim to have some depth.

Jackson is among the most respected teammates and had a strong offseason of conditioning.

Patriots 27, Saints 24.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -

Stephen Gostkowski's 28-yard field goal with 53 seconds left gave New England a win in a preseason game.

Drew Brees completed 9 of 13 passes for 55 yards for the Saints.

Rookie Devin McCourty had kickoff returns of 50 and 52 yards for the Patriots.