A motorcycle accident might have Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow’s status for the 2005 season in question.
Winslow, the team’s first-round draft choice in 2004, has swelling in his right knee and shoulder after he flipped over the handlebars during a crash Sunday night.
Winslow was treated for internal injuries Monday at the Cleveland Clinic, but the team said those injuries were stable and not serious.
The swelling in the knee, though, could indicate a bigger problem that won’t be known until Winslow is examined further.
WebMD.com lists swelling as a symptom of varying degrees of ligament tears. If Winslow tore a ligament, he could be out for an extended time.
“The extent of these (knee and shoulder) injuries will not be known until further medical evaluation is complete after the swelling is reduced,” a statement from the Browns said.
There was no timetable for Winslow’s release from the hospital.
The accident took place as Winslow was learning to ride his 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750, which he bought in April, according to The Associated Press. Winslow and four friends went to a Cuyahoga Community College parking lot in Westlake, Ohio, near Winslow’s home.
Winslow hit a curb and apparently hit the accelerator instead of the brake. That caused him to fly over the windshield. Westlake police reported Winslow was going 35 mph when he hit the curb. Winslow was wearing a helmet, but it was not strapped on, and it flew off his head. Alcohol was not involved, police told the AP.
“I have no comment,” Winslow’s father, Kellen Winslow Sr., said. “I’m not speaking to the press. Anything released about Kellen will come from the Cleveland Browns.”
Winslow played in only two games last season because of a broken fibula in his left leg suffered against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowboys: Running back Anthony Thomas agreed to a one-year deal.
Thomas will provide depth at running back and some veteran experience, especially after the release last week of Richie Anderson. Julius Jones became the top back as a rookie last season for the Cowboys, who also chose Marion Barber in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
A second-round pick out of Michigan in 2001, Thomas had two 1,000-yard seasons in his four years with the Chicago Bears. He had 404 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 12 games last season.
Bills: Rookie tight end Kevin Everett has a torn left knee ligament and could miss the start of the season.
Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold said the team’s third-round pick out of Miami will have surgery. There is no timetable for Everett’s return.
Chiefs: Former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White wasn’t offered a contract after a three-day rookie camp.
White, who went undrafted out of Oklahoma, got the news Sunday from coach Dick Vermeil. White was competing with seventh-round pick James Kilian of Tulsa for a possible spot.
“What I recommended him to do, if he really wants to play in the NFL, is to go to the Arena League, sharpen his skills and compete,” Vermeil said. “I think he’s aware of where he is and what he needs to do.”
