Marcus

Benard

Benard has garnered quite a bit of interest since being released by the Browns with an injury settlement earlier in the month. Arizona had Benard in at their facility last week. Oakland signed Andre Carter a few weeks ago to try and jump start their pass rush, but the defense still sits near the bottom of the league with just seven sacks.

Wimbley, the No. 13 overall pick in 2006, is just 26 years old and led Cleveland in sacks last season, so the move is surprising at first glance. However, the Browns have stockpiled quality depth at outside linebacker, and could turn to Marcus Benard (3.5 sacks in ’09), trusty Jason Trusnik, gifted Alex Hall, or 2009 second-round pick David Veikune opposite Matt Roth. In Oakland, Wimbley will likely start at left defensive end, replacing Greg Ellis. He’ll be playing with his hand in the dirt for the first time since Florida State.

Benard is believed to have been on his way home from practice when the accident occurred. A local hospital confirmed he is a patient, but has yet to release his condition. Local FOX reporter John Telich reports Benard’s injuries are “serious, but not life threatening.” Benard has been a rotational pass rusher this season, notching three tackles and a half-sack in four games.

He’s been transferred to the Cleveland Clinic for further evaluation, but a broken arm is a season-threatening injury for the situational pass rusher. The best news is that Benard avoided truly serious injuries. Benard was underutilized in the first four games, averaging only about 10 snaps per week. He did have one special teams tackle, three more on defense, and a half-sack.

This takes the injury out of the season-ending range and puts him in the week-to-week category, for now. Benard has been underutilized so far, so his absence isn’t going to change the dynamic of the Browns’ defense too much.

Benard suffered a broken hand and was in stable condition Monday night. The rotational rusher and special teamer is unlikely to face league discipline as it’s his first known brush with the law.

Benard was limited to just four games last season after an October motorcycle accident landed him on the reserve/non-football injury list. Benard is still not 100 percent after breaking his hand and suffering other injuries in the accident, but is expected to make a full recovery. Working as a situational pass rusher in 2010, he tallied eight sacks in 15 games.

Yahoo Sports reported Saturday Benard will be non-tendered, but it’s possible the Browns would like to bring him back on a non-guaranteed, incentive-laden deal. Benard is just two years removed from an eight-sack season, and is expected to make a full recovery from an October motorcycle accident.

Benard was thrown roughly 240 feet from his bike during the wreck and spent the rest of the season on the reserve/non-football injury list. The full extent of his injuries was never disclosed. The 26-year-old Benard was a promising nickel rusher in 2010, tallying 7.5 sacks. It’s unclear whether the Browns plan to extent him a restricted free agent tender.

Benard is almost back to full health after sustaining multiple minor injuries in an October motorcycle accident that landed him on the non-football injury list. Just two years removed from notching eight sacks as a nickel rusher, Benard should earn a roster spot as long as he’s healthy.