NFL teams
Pat McManamon, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

TE Jordan Cameron out vs. Falcons

NFL, Cleveland Browns

BEREA, Ohio -- Tight end Jordan Cameron was cleared by a neurologist and returned to the Cleveland Browns practice field Friday on a limited basis.

It was the first time Cameron practiced at all since he was sidelined with a concussion Oct. 26. He will not play Sunday when the Browns go to Atlanta, but coach Mike Pettine said the team hoped to have him the following Sunday against Buffalo.

That concussion was the result of a violent hit Cameron took to the back of the head from Oakland safety Brandian Ross, and it raised concerns because it was Cameron's third concussion in three years.

"If I felt that my future was in jeopardy, I wouldn't have come back," Cameron said.

As Cameron spoke, a portrait of his 5-year-old son Tristan hung in his locker behind him. Cameron admitted the past month has been tough, and he spent a long time talking to two doctors, a team doctor and a league-appointed independent neurologist about his prognosis, long- and short-term.

"They looked at my situation with detail," Cameron said. "I trust what they're saying is what it is. Like I said, if I didn't feel comfortable playing, I wouldn't be out here, knowing I have a son who is obviously a big part of my life. Those are the things you think about, but after I talked to these neurologists, I feel a lot better about the situation."

Cameron did not think the concussion issue would affect his upcoming free-agent status; his contract expires after the season.

"It's not like I'm a fragile person," he said. "It's not like I take a little hit and I get a concussion. I've taken some stuff that's serious, and if anyone was in this situation, they'd get a concussion."

Cameron also detailed what the doctors told him.

"They said, 'Your baseline from six years ago is the same as now. You won't get any lost memory. Everything is the exact same as it was six years ago,'" he said. "Now the main thing they say is if you come back too early and you get another concussion, if you get hit again and get a concussion, that's when you see the damage when I'm 50 years old. And I wouldn't come back. I've got this little guy [Tristan]. I wouldn't come back if I felt like I was in danger of not being there for him."

Friday, Cameron did some individual work and participated in a couple of team plays, but he said his work was "nothing major."

Cameron said his main issues were "little mini-headaches here and there." "Little things that were more of an annoyance," he said. "It's there. It's [a] 'something's not right' feeling."

Ross was penalized for the hit and fined $22,050 -- his entire paycheck.

"I don't think he had any malicious intent, but ... you know ... he played for free that day," Cameron said.

The Browns likely will be without linebackers Karlos Dansby and Jabaal Sheard on Sunday in Atlanta. Dansby is doubtful with a sprained MCL, Sheard questionable with a foot injury.

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