The Cleveland Browns are one step closer to having Barkevious Mingo back in the fold.
The rookie outside linebacker will resume running Tuesday after being sidelined since mid-August with a bruised lung, coach Rob Chudzinski told reporters.
"He's doing better and he continues to be monitored," Chudzinski said. "We're looking forward to seeing (him run)."
Mingo isn't a candidate to be placed on injured reserve with the "designated to return" tag, according to Chudzinski, who refuses to offer a timeline for the pass rusher's return to practice.
The Browns still have 12 days until the Miami Dolphins roll into town for the season opener, but Mingo's unusual injury has no road map.
We're keeping an eye on Mr. Mingo, along with the following Week 1 hopefuls:
» Speaking of the Dolphins, there's positive news on rookie pass rusher Dion Jordan, who practiced in full pads Tuesday, according to ESPN.com's James Walker. Following offseason shoulder surgery, Jordan hasn't played or practiced since seeing limited snaps in the Aug. 4 Hall of Fame Game.
Jordan -- the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft -- said last week that he wouldn't be shocked if he didn't play against the Browns, but Tuesday's progress is the most encouraging sign we've seen from the rookie.
» Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger reported that Victor Cruz has shed the walking boot he was fitted with after suffering a heel injury two Sundays ago against the Indianapolis Colts. Like Mingo, the Giants receiver has 12 days to heal up before New York's season opener with the Dallas Cowboys.
Big Blue's offense has been uneven this preseason and needs a healthy Cruz to cover up for a defense that could bleed points this autumn.
» On Tuesday, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was asked (for the 705th time) about the status of his surgically repaired knee:
"I would say I'm 100 percent, but you can't put a number on it," RGIII told WTEM-AM. "No one ever knows when they are 100 percent or what percentage they're playing at. The biggest thing is, I'm not below 100 percent."
Bottom line: We fully expect Griffin to take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 9.
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