Barkevious Mingo might be under pressure to validate a top-10 selection from 2013, but his preparations for the 2015 season will be stalled a bit.
The former LSU star will be sidelined for roughly a month as he underwent, and recovers from, a minor arthroscopic knee procedure for a meniscus tear, sources told Around The NFL and NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
Cleveland.com first reported the development.
Per Rapoport, the operation is a clean-up. At the moment, the month deadline is a hopeful one.
Mingo has played in 30 games (14 starts) over the past two seasons, logging a total of seven sacks.
Though he was drafted during the short-lived Rob Chudzinski regime, his edge-rushing skills seemed like the perfect fit in Mike Pettine's hybrid defense.
Instead, it was his run defense that shined the brightest in 2014, though 20 quarterback hurries and five quarterback hits (according to Pro Football Focus) also stood out on tape.
The temporary loss will be a big blow to the Browns, a team hoping to stockpile its defense and win games the old fashioned way.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast features Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo sharing his thoughts on the upcoming season.