Browns WLB Chris Gocong has been diagnosed with a neck stinger. Gocong missed the entire exhibition season due to a similar injury, leading to concern here. Kaluka Maiava figures to take over on the weak side.

Browns WLB Chris Gocong was unable to finish Sunday's loss to the 49ers due to a shoulder injury. Gocong had a season-high five tackles before leaving. Kaluka Maiava was forced into action once again.

Browns signed WLB Chris Gocong to a three-year, $16.8 million extension through 2014. A former defensive end at little known Cal-Poly, Gocong has morphed from college pass rusher into 4-3 weak-side linebacker with Cleveland. Gocong, 27, only has nine tackles through three games, but his run defense has been stellar and was last season as well. He's just not on the IDP radar anymore.

Browns WLB Chris Gocong (neck) returned to practice Wednesday. This was the team's plan all along. Gocong missed much of camp and preseason, but the Browns wanted to take necessary precautions before bringing him back from a painful stinger. He should get the start over Kaluka Maiava Sunday.

Browns WLB Chris Gocong's neck stinger may be more serious than originally thought. Stingers generally leave a player day-to-day. Gocong is hoping to practice next week, but the goal is to be ready for the season opener. He's almost certainly done for the rest of the preseason schedule.

Chris Gocong is working as the Browns' starting weak-side linebacker in camp. Gocong isn't in the middle as beat writers projected over the spring. D'Qwell Jackson will be the favorite to lead the team in tackles, but it's smart for the Browns to keep Gocong in the starting lineup nonetheless. He's one of Cleveland's better run stuffers, and the college defensive end can blitz in a pinch.