BEREA, Ohio, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest will miss at least six weeks after surgery to repair a bulging disc in his back.
The 35-year-old McGinest signed as a free agent in the off-season after 13 seasons with the New England Patriots, where he played on three Super Bowl champion teams.
The surgery was performed Thursday in Los Angeles after McGinest paid a visit to his personal physician.
"An MRI showed it was a disc," said Coach Romeo Crennel. "I think it was in the area he had some previous work done."
Crennel told The Cleveland Plain Dealer the team will wait to see how McGinest progresses before making a decision about placing him on the injured reserve list, which would end his season.
The former Southern California all-American -- a first-round pick by New England in the 1994 draft -- has 717 tackles (519 solo), 82 sacks and five interceptions in his NFL career.
