Berea, OH – Cleveland Browns guard Eric Steinbach underwent back surgery on Tuesday and will miss the entire 2011 season.
Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said that Steinbach elected to have the procedure on Monday, after previous treatments meant to alleviate the issue failed.
Shurmur said that Steinbach will also be placed on injured reserve.
Steinbach was the Browns' big free-agent signing prior to the 2007 campaign, inking a seven-year, $49.5 million dollar contract. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected the Iowa product with the first pick of the second round in the 2003 draft.
Rookie Jason Pinkston, out of Pitt, will get the nod to replace Steinbach.
The Browns open their season on September 11 by hosting the rival Bengals.
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