The intrigue as to who will play center for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday -- if there is intrigue about a center -- increased a bit when the team activated Nick McDonald from the non-football injury list on Saturday.
McDonald injured his right wrist in a car accident in the offseason and was waived by San Diego. The Browns claimed him on July 22. McDonald says he is ready to play, so the possibility that he could start at center with John Greco sliding to his original right guard position remains on the table.
Coach Mike Pettine was coy about who would start, saying it would be revealed Sunday and he preferred not to say before then due to strategic reasons. The Browns are trying to find the right combination to replace Alex Mack, who broke his leg against Pittsburgh Oct. 12.
Greco moved to center and Paul McQuistan played right guard the rest of that game and in Jacksonville last week, but the Browns had their poorest game of the season running the ball in the 24-6 loss. Pettine said the team would evaluate the offensive line positions, then activated McDonald after seeing him in his second week of practice as he came back from the injury.
The team could stick with Greco at center and McQuistan at guard. It could use McDonald at guard. Or it could put McDonald at center and move Greco back to guard.
