Browns' Buster Skrine undergoes thumb surgery

The Cleveland Browns are down a man in their deep secondary.

Cornerback Buster Skrine underwent thumb surgery Monday and won't play again in the preseason, the team confirmed. Coach Mike Pettine said he expects the fourth-year cover man to return in time for Week 1, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Skrine was injured in Friday's practice, assuring that first-round cornerback Justin Gilbert would step into a starting role for Monday night's meeting with the Washington Redskins.

Battling Gilbert for first-team duties, Skrine won't be helped by the lost time. Also not helping him is the reality that Pettine personally scouted and saw Gilbert as the perfect press-corner compliment to Pro Bowl player Joe Haden.

In today's pass-happy NFL, though, every corner on the roster is asked to contribute.

The latest "Around the League Podcast" talks quarterback battles and debates the gang's preseason power rankings.