Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton has admitted that Barkevious Mingo's spell on the sidelines could have a negative impact on the rookie linebacker's understanding of team plays.
Mingo is currently recovering from a bruised lung that he suffered during his side's 24-6 win over the Detroit Lions, an injury that is likely to keep him out of the pre-season matches against the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears.
Horton admits that the 22-year-old needs a little more match practice in order to become educated in the ways of the NFL, but also believes that it won't take him too long to get up to speed.
"For a young guy, he needs every rep he can get," Horton told The AP. "He is very smart. He is on page. For us, it's just reps.
"It's seeing a different look. It's seeing [Colts quarterback] Andrew Luck. It's seeing different fronts, what they have and how they want to block him.
"It will retard a little bit, but he is pretty gifted in what he does and he picks things up fast. How much? I can't give you a quantitative answer, but it will hurt him a little bit."
Mingo was released from hospital earlier today having spent two nights recovering from his injury.
Barney Corkhill
