Saints center Erik McCoy to return from injury vs. Browns

   

METAIRIE La., -- New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy will make his return against the Cleveland Browns this week after missing seven games with a groin injury.

McCoy took only three snaps in the Saints' Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles before leaving with an injury, and he went on IR later that week after having surgery. He is officially listed as questionable on the injury report.

"Should be good to go. I thought we did the right thing here the last couple of weeks with his volume in practice, amped it up a little bit every day, and he looks like he's ready to go," said Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi. "Unless we have a setback between now and Sunday, I imagine he'd be in there."

Linebacker Pete Werner, who injured his hand against the Atlanta Falcons last week, is questionable to play this weekend. Werner practiced Friday with his hand wrapped up like a club, and he will be a game-time decision, according to Rizzi.

New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy expected to make return Sunday vs.  Browns

Rizzi declined to say whether Werner had surgery, saying that Werner has a hand injury and that he did not want to get into specifics.

"He was a limited participant today. That's literally going to be a day-to-day thing. We'll see how he responds tomorrow," Rizzi said. " ... Pete wants to play, and if he's physically able to play and it's not going to do any more damage to his current situation, we'll literally take that right up to [the game]."

Running back Jamaal Williams (groin) and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick (ankle) were ruled out, while cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., both of whom missed last week, are questionable.