Winslow to return to Browns today

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: Kellen Winslow will rejoin the Browns this morning and be welcomed back, General Manager Phil Savage said Sunday after a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

''I spoke to Kellen [Saturday] night,'' Savage said. ''I made a couple points to him in regards to he and the team and he and I's relationship. . . . I understand some of the points he made and we had a good conversation.''

The Browns rescinded Winslow's suspension Saturday night and converted it to a $25,000 fine.

Savage said any information about Winslow's illness, which Winslow said was a staph infection, had to come from Winslow. The GM said the team never has decreed a player should keep medical information private.

''That's not our decision,'' Savage said.

Savage was asked whether he could say why Winslow initially was hospitalized.

''I don't know. Bill, has it been disclosed or is it still a private matter?'' Savage asked Bill Bonsiewicz, the Browns' vice president of communications. ''I think it's all in a gray area right now. I think the best thing to say is, 'No, you can ask him.' ''

Savage maintained his disappointment with Winslow's remarks after a loss to the Washington Redskins, and said discussions to settle the suspension began Thursday, when Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called to see whether one were possible.

''I think there are always things you could do differently,'' Savage said. ''But we felt strongly that some of the comments that were made did disparage our team and our organization.

''And they were unwarranted from the way we saw things and way we've handled scenarios and situations with not only Kellen, but a lot of other players here.''

Winslow spent the past few days in San Diego and did not play Sunday because he did not travel with the team.

''We're going to try to go forward and make it work and have a winning team,'' Savage said.

(ohio.com)