BEREA, Ohio -- Scott Fujita's second season with the Cleveland Browns could be over.
The veteran linebacker broke his right hand during Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and will undergo surgery later this week. Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Fujita will miss "a significant amount of time" and it's possible the team will place the 32-year-old on season-ending injured reserve for the second year in a row.
Fujita played in just nine games last season before he was inactive for five weeks and then placed on IR.
Shurmur said the Browns will move Chris Gocong to Fujita's spot at strongside linebacker and Kaluka Maiava will take over for Gocong on the weak side. However, Maiava sprained his knee against the Bengals, and his status for this week's game against the Baltimore Ravens might not be known for a few days.
Also, defensive end Emmanuel Stephens injured his chest muscle, and Shurmur said the starter also will miss "significant time." Stephens made just his second start Sunday after winning the job from Jayme Mitchell.
Quarterback Colt McCoy has a sore right elbow after banging it on Cleveland's opening drive Sunday. Shurmur expects McCoy to practice this week.
"He's got a little bit of a sore elbow, but he's fine," Shurmur said.
Shurmur said strong safety T.J. Ward has made more progress with his sprained right foot and the team is "hopeful we'll have him back soon."
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press