NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cleveland Browns starting offensive guard Eric Steinbach will miss the 2011 National Football League season after having back surgery on Tuesday to repair a disk problem, the team said.
"The surgery went well but we'll put him on (injured reserve)," Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur told reporters after team practice.
The 31-year-old Steinbach has not practiced with the team for two weeks and had been getting medical treatment on his stiffening back before deciding to have surgery.
A perennial starter for the Browns for the last two years, Steinbach is expected to be replaced at guard by rookie Jason Pinkston.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.