BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis finished his 10-year career without fanfare, being placed on injured reserve with what the team called “post-concussion symptoms.”

The news came out of the blue Wednesday, since Browns coach Eric Mangini had said nothing about Lewis being injured in three news conferences since the game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But it raised red flags when Lewis was not at practice or in the locker room for media interviews, and there were no street clothes in his locker.
Free safety Brodney Pool was also placed on injured reserve with his fourth concussion in five years.
“I’m disappointed that Jamal and Brodney are not going to be able to finish out the season, and I thank them both for their contributions this year,” Mangini said in a statement. “Jamal has been an integral part of this team and has exhibited a great work ethic. He worked hard, studied hard and set a good example for younger running backs.
“I was encouraged with Brodney’s progress each week and appreciated his approach and attitude towards this season. Through 11 games he had already reached his career-bests for interceptions (four) and passes defensed (10).” Pool had also recorded 48 tackles and a sack.
Lewis, who turned 30 in August, announced after the Nov. 1 game against the Chicago Bears that this would be his final season. He ranks 21st on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 10,607 career yards, just 37 yards out of 20th. A 1-yard run with 14:02 left against the Bengals was his final carry.
Known for his punishing style, Lewis missed two games earlier this year with a hamstring injury. The fifth overall pick in the 2000 draft, he has totaled 500 yards (3.5 average) and no touchdowns in 2009, with his season-high coming Oct. 11 at the Buffalo Bills, when he carried 31 times for 117 yards. After seven years with the Baltimore Ravens, Lewis spent three seasons with the Browns and was elected a co-captain this year, but was highly critical of Mangini’s physical practices.
Lewis posted seven 1,000-yard campaigns in nine seasons. His 2,066 yards in 2003 ranks as the second-highest single-season total in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson’s 2,105 with the Los Angeles Rams in 1983.
Those numbers, and the Super Bowl ring he earned with the Ravens in 2001, could put the Atlanta native in the hall of fame.
Asked last month if he thought of himself in that regard, Lewis said, “Naw, not really. I don’t know what it actually takes. I guess it takes a bunch of numbers and probably longevity.
“If I made it or had a shot to make it, it doesn’t really matter to me. As long as I can leave this game healthy and with the stats that I have and the things that I’ve done ... I have a Super Bowl ring and I’m happy.”
According to profootballtalk.com, the Browns will replace Lewis with DeDe Dorsey, who played for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. Dorsey spent two years with the Bengals and one with the Indianapolis Colts.
Pool, 25, could also be forced into retirement, but Mangini said the two have not talked about that scenario.
“That’s a discussion for a later time period,” Mangini said.
The head injuries put Lewis and Pool on IR the same day that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued guidelines as to when players can return from concussions. Last weekend, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner sat out with post-concussion symptoms, and Warner said his head injury was affecting his vision.
Browns linebacker David Bowens said the way the NFL handles concussions has changed “dramatically” during his 11 years in the league.
“I used to bang my head and count to three, ’OK, you’re good, go back out there and play,’ “ Bowens said. “Now if you see any kind of light, you’re going to have to go see the doctor. It’s way different than it used to be.
“Now it’s a big deal. You see the older players, how it’s affected their lives post-career. I think the awareness level has definitely heightened and teams are taking better precautions. Safety issues regarding helmets, that’s gone up. There’s a lot of steps being taken.”
Browns receiver/safety Mike Furrey suffered a concussion with the Detroit Lions in 2008 and experienced symptoms for about two weeks. He said his occurred when he took a knee to the helmet while falling backward and suffered whiplash.
“I know they’re doing a lot of studying. I don’t think anybody really has an understanding yet of the symptoms and why things are happening the way they’re happening,” Furrey said. “I was talking to my buddy Kurt Warner yesterday and he’s got the same thing.
“Nobody knows the (extremes) of those headaches or (about) being nauseated and sick throughout the week, but feeling good on certain days. As a competitor, you want to keep playing, so obviously you probably would stretch the story just a little bit to get back on the field.”
Browns center Hank Fraley, a 10-year veteran, said the mentality of athletes is to push through injuries and concussions.
“In the back of your mind, you’re like, ’The guys need me. I need to be there,’ “ Fraley said. “You’re always pushing yourself to the limit.”
Fraley said his wife thinks more about the long-term health ramifications than he does.
“Now that I’ve gotten up there in years, I’ve definitely weighed it,” Fraley said. “The problem is, you ask me today and you ask me 10 years later and 10 years earlier, I’d probably do the same thing.”