Brandon Jackson

The seasons of Cleveland Browns starting left guard Eric Steinbach (disk) and third-down running back Brandon Jackson (toe) are in doubt because of their injuries.

Both players could end up on injured reserve for the season depending on how their injuries progress over the next few days or week.

Browns head coach Pat Shurmur indicated it's uncertain if Steinbach, who has started the past four seasons with the team at left guard, will be able to play this year.

As for Jackson, Shurmur acknowledged he will be out "for an extended period."

Jackson, who was signed as a free agent from Green Bay, suffered the toe injury during the second preseason game against the Lions and is wearing a cast. At first, the injury was described as turf toe, but now, Shurmur is calling it a more generic toe injury.

The Browns will continue to monitor Jackson to see if he can contribute at some point this season. If not, he'll also be a candidate for injured reserve.

Fortunately for the Browns, running back Montario Hardesty is on the mend and passed the first test of his surgically repaired left knee Thursday night in Philadelphia. Hardesty ran five times for 15 yards in one series in the first quarter before Shurmur sat him down.

Hardesty becomes more appealing if Jackson is out for awhile. The lost of Steinbach is a negative for the entire Cleveland offense.