Browns' starting center will miss opening games
By Patrick McManamon
Akron Beacon Journal
BEREA, Ohio - Alonzo Ephraim will not be the Browns' starting center on opening day - or the first month for that matter.
Ephraim will be suspended by the league for violating the substance-abuse policy, according to league sources.
Ephraim will miss the first four games, the sources said.
The Browns cannot comment on a player's drug test, or the suspension, which will only be announced if Ephraim makes the final roster.
The suspension is for a failed test with a previous team, but it's not known where.
According to sources, the Browns did not have the complete information about the suspension before Ephraim signed July 29.
The team knew there could be issues about him, but did not get the information until the week after he signed. He was the first center on the team's emergency list, and was signed after the injury to LeCharles Bentley.
The team did not expect he would ever play, but he was thrust into action in the first preseason game with the sudden retirement of Bob Hallen.
This week, Ross Tucker has taken a lot of snaps with the first team, and he's expected to start Friday against the Detroit Lions.
A year ago, Michael Jameson served a similar suspension, and the Browns kept him as a "54th player." The team could do the same with Ephraim, then decide when the suspension ends whether to put him on the active roster. His play the remainder of the preseason will determine if he fills that "54th player" role.
The suspension continues what has been a wacky training camp - especially at center
HAHAHA. Looks like the Browns are down to their 4th string center