Cleveland
Browns

News: Jackson was on the practice field for Day 1 of OTAs on Tuesday, but was held out of team drills due to a stiff back, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Impact: Jackson said it's "not anything major, just a little stiffness", and considering it was just the first day of full team practice, the precautions taken on the newly minted $42.5 million middle linebacker are likely just that. It's worth noting however, as Jackson had two lost seasons to injury in '09 and '10 sandwiched between his monster outputs in '08 and '11.

News: Hardesty split time with Trent Richardson on the first-team offense at OTAs on Tuesday, the Akron Beacon Journal Online reports.
Impact: Hardesty won't beat out Trent Richardson for the starting job, but he is the favorite to win the No. 2 spot. Richardson has a ridiculous combination of size, speed, and hands so don't expect Hardesty to get on the field as much as most backup running backs.

News: After spending all of the 2011 season on injured reserve with turf toe, Jackson was back on the practice field for the Browns in Day 1 of OTAs on Tuesday, according to Nale Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Impact: The Browns traded up in the first round of the draft to select Alabama running back Trent Richardson third overall, and they still have 2010 second-round pick Montario Hardesty on the roster to back him up, so despite his current health, Jackson is buried on the depth chart and doesn't figure to see many touches. Before his toe injury, he displayed solid pass-catching and pass-blocking abilities in his final season in Green Bay, so there is an outside shot he could see some limited action as a third-down back in 2012.

News: Massaquoi lined up as the starter opposite Greg Little on Tuesday, with head coach Pat Shurmur stating after the Browns' first full squad practice "it's safe to say that they are our first two (receivers) right now", according to the Browns' official site.
Impact: Massaquoi figures to be the biggest benefactor of the Browns' decision not to draft a wideout early in April's draft. He may receive competition for the number two spot from Joshua Cribbs, Jordan Norwood, or rookie Travis Benjamin, but his health, which he has had issues with the past two seasons, and the development of quarterback Brandon Weeden are more likely to be barriers to a successful 2012 for Massaquoi.

News: At his press conference following the team's first OTAs on Tuesday, head coach Pat Shurmur said Little, "changed his body" (in the offseason) and "looks much leaner", according to the Browns' official site.
Impact: Little being in shape is hardly ground-breaking news, but it's nice to see he put in the work on his own time to start his second year on the right note. He posted a solid rookie campaign, with 709 yards and two touchdowns, especially considering he was coming off a full-season suspension at North Carolina before being drafted last spring, had played wide receiver for only one year in college, and had no training camp due to the lockout. A lot rides on the play of his quarterback in 2012, but Little has plenty of room to grow, and he should come at a discount on draft day thanks to the Browns' woeful offense last season.

News: Benard is practicing for the first time since his motorcycle accident last October, Nate Ulbrich from the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Impact: Benard spent most of last season on the non-football-injury list, but will help provide depth at defensive end behind newcomers Frostee Rucker, Juqua Parker, and 2011 second-round pick Jabaal Sheard.

News: Watson (concussion) is healthy and practicing Tuesday, Nate Ulbrich from the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Impact: Watson ended last season on IR, but his presence at OTA's should indicate he'll be good to go for training camp. The big tight end gained 410 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last season, but had a more productive 2010 season when he gained 763 yards and three touchdowns. However, sharing catches with fellow tight end Evan Moore may keep him from being fantasy-relevant this season.

News: McCoy took snaps with the first-team offense at OTAs on Tuesday, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com reports.
Impact: Although many expect Brandon Weeden to emerge as the Browns' starting quarterback, it is worth noting that McCoy is still in the mix and is getting some shots with the first-team offense.

News: Browns general manager Tom Hecker said that the team expects Weeden to emerge as the starting quarterback during training camp, Mark Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Impact: "The best guy is going to play, but we fully expect Brandon Weeden to be the guy," Hecker said Monday night. Ultimately, Hecker's vote of confidence in Weeden is a strong signal he'll have to lose the starting quarterback job to Colt McCoy in order to miss out on the opportunity to play from Day 1.

News: Acho was officially signed by the Browns on Monday following the conclusion of rookie minicamp, according to ClevelandBrowns.com.
Impact: Acho was selected out of Texas in the sixth round. He finished his college career with 280 tackles, eight sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.

News: Dickson was signed by the Browns on Monday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.
Impact: Dickson signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent out of Idaho last summer, but was recently released in April. He will add depth to the linebacking corps heading into training camp. Dickson failed to make the field last season, but registered 182 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in his 41-game college career.

News: Thomas was signed by the Browns on Monday following an impressive performance at rookie minicamp, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.
Impact: Thomas had a nice career at Toledo, totaling 2,551 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, but still went undrafted in April's draft. The Browns cut Armond Smith to make room for Thomas on the 90-man roster. He'll be buried on the depth chart and will need injuries at the position to make the active roster.

News: Taylor needs surgery to repair a torn chest muscle and will be sidelined for months.
Impact: Taylor tore his left pectoral muscle on Thursday lifting weights. Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Taylor, who started all 16 games as a rookie last season, will have an operation next week. Shurmur said Taylor will "miss months, not weeks" but wouldn't speculate if the 335-pounder will miss the 2012 season.