NFL Combine 2013 Morning Update: Dee Milliner will need labrum surgery; interviews begin

The Kickoff

Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, one of the top prospects the Browns will most likely consider with their No. 6 overall pick, will undergo surgery on a right torn labrum after the NFL Combine, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

But at this point, Milliner is still planning to participate in all the Combine drills, and his surgery should not deter the Browns from drafting him if they identify Milliner as their pick. Milliner is the top cornerback prospect in the draft, and might be the only first-rounder. Many experts project him as a top five pick, but some, including NFL Network's Mike Mayock, think he's closer to a No. 20 selection.

"The doctors have informed us that he will be 100 percent and fully recovered in time for training camp in July," Tony Fleming, one of Milliner's agents, told Schefter. "We will be providing all NFL clubs information prior to surgery and updates close to the draft."

Milliner isn't the only player with a medical red flag that the Browns will be studying at the Combine this week. Another is Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones, who was diagnosed with stenosis, or a narrowing of the spinal column, in 2009. The condition prevented the USC Trojans from letting him on the field there after a 2010 neck injury, and he transferred to Georgia.

If the Browns like Milliner, who was coached by former Browns defensive coordinator Nick Saban at Alabama, he'd make a formidable duo with cornerback Joe Haden.

- Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

The schedule

Today: There are no workouts. Throughout the day, media interviews will be held with NFL personnel; and with offensive linemen, tight ends, kickers, punters and long snappers. TV: No NFL Network live coverage planned today.

Friday: Workouts begin with the offensive linemen and tight ends performing in the bench press. Also, media interviews of NFL personnel and of the quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs will be held.

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Three players of interest today
1. Menelik Watson, OL, Florida State
Watson, from England, has only played football for three years. He played pro basketball in Spain and also has dabbled in boxing.
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2. Matt Weller, kicker, Ohio U.
It isn't likely Weller, a native of Twinsburg, will get drafted, but he is considered among some of the notable college kickers eligible for the draft.

3. Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
The Cleveland Heights native could become an option for the Browns in the middle to late rounds.

NFL and combine links

Six players the Browns will study at the NFL Combine (Cleveland.com)

The Browns will meet with the agents for Josh Cribbs and their other free agents in Indianapolis (Cleveland.com)

A new rule will keep coaches off the football field (CBSSports).

Here are a few suggestions to spice up the combine (NY Times).

There's not much star power at this year's NFL Combine (LA Times).

These are the top free agents in the AFC North (ESPN).

Five things to watch at the NFL Combine (Cincinnati.com).

Here are the top 50 prospects at the combine (Fox Sports).

Medical exams are the toughest to pass at the combine (Indy.com).

A perspective of the NFL Combine (CantonRep.com).

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau says it hurt to see the Ravens win it all (Baltimore Sun).

Is Mike Wallace worth $60 million from the Miami Dolphins (SunSentinel.com)?

- Plain Dealer reporter Branson Wright contributed to this post.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/02/nfl_combine_2013_news_rumors_a.html

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