NFL | Ex-Seahawks receiver Joe Jurevicius gets staph

CLEVELAND — Cleveland receiver Joe Jurevicius contracted a staph infection after knee surgery, becoming the sixth Browns player in four years to suffer from staph.

Jurevicius is recovering and is expected to participate in team activities in May and minicamp in June. The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported the infection Friday, citing anonymous sources.

Browns officials released a statement saying Jurevicius, 33, had his knee scoped in early January.

"At some point following that procedure, he acquired an infection from which he is recovering. He has been rehabilitating here in Cleveland and is expected to take part in the team's offseason activities," the statement said.

Jurevicius underwent surgery at Cleveland Clinic. Hospital spokeswoman Eileen Sheil said the staph infection didn't occur until later.

"The onset was two weeks after his surgery while he was traveling on the West Coast," Sheil said. "We don't believe it was related to the surgery."

Jurevicius played for the Seahawks in the 2005 season and caught 10 touchdown passes.

Jurevicius' agent, Neil Cornrich, did not return a phone message seeking comment.

Other Browns players who have contracted staph infections in recent years are center LeCharles Bentley, tight end Kellen Winslow, receiver Braylon Edwards, former Cleveland safety Brian Russell and former linebacker Ben Taylor. Russell signed with the Seahawks in March 2007 after two seasons with Cleveland.

Infection-control officials from Cleveland Clinic visited the Browns' facility in October 2005 and July 2006 for prevention purposes. The Browns also had their facility treated last year with a special anti-staph agent.

Jurevicius had 50 receptions for 614 yards and three touchdowns last season. He played in 16 games and started 12.

Notes

• Bryant Gumbel, 59, has given up his role as an NFL Network play-by-play announcer after two seasons.

NFL Network officials said they were looking for a new play-by-play announcer to work with Cris Collinsworth on the network's Thursday and Saturday games.

"We've agreed that we'd all be better served going in different directions," Gumbel said.

• Safety Matt Giordano, 25, a restricted free agent, re-signed with Indianapolis.

• Detroit re-signed cornerback Stanley Wilson, 25, and signed punter/kicker Paul Ernster, 26, to one-year contracts.

The Lions waived safety Patrick Body.

• Miami Dolphins fullback Reagan Mauia, 23, was charged with punching another man in the face and knocking him unconscious in a restaurant parking lot in Weston, Fla.

The victim, Michael Gianatassio, was treated at a hospital and released. Mauia was charged with battery and released on $1,000 bond.

• Carolina Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett, 21, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving while impaired and has a June 23 trial date in Charlotte, N.C.

• Retired lineman Luis Sharpe, 47, faces up to six years in prison after pleading guilty in Phoenix to four drug charges that stem from three separate arrests for possessing crack cocaine.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection spent several months in prison after a drug conviction in 2000. He also was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison in 2004 on other drug charges.