If unaffiliated physicians are to be believed, Cleveland Browns rookie pass rusher Barkevious Mingo won’t be back any time soon.
Two doctors told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Mingo, who sustained a bruised lung during last week’s preseason game, likely needs months, not days, to heal.
“The fact that he’s spitting up blood means it’s not a minor contusion,” said Dr. Philip A. Linden, the chief of thoracic surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. “There’s something significant going on there.”
Linden said the usual recovery time is between two and eight weeks.
His opinion supports that of Dr. Clark Fuller, Director of Thoracic Surgery at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Neither doctor has treated Mingo. Fuller said Monday that had Mingo remained in last Thursday’s 24–6 victory over the Detroit Lions and taken another hit to the chest, it could have killed him.
Fuller said Mingo had already torn at least some small blood vessels, “and if you tear some larger ones, the chest cavity is an area where you could bleed to death and nobody ever sees a drop of blood on the ground.”
Mingo has been expected to be ready in time for the Browns’ regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the visiting Miami Dolphins.
“We’re just happy it’s not a career- or season-ending injury,” defensive coordinator Ray Horton said. “But they’re all serious when they miss playing time.”
Mingo was injured while on special teams covering the opening kickoff. He said he felt a shortness of breath after the whistle ended the play, but did not recall the hit. The Browns plan to continue using him on kickoff coverage.
He was hospitalized for two days before being released Saturday.
Mingo said Wednesday he was not experiencing any issues breather and was feeling much better.
Coach Rob Chudzinski admitted there was only uncertainty surrounding Mingo’s return.
“The bottom line … is nobody really knows,” he said.