While the Browns continue to search for a starting center, one name that can be crossed off the list for at least a month is Alonzo Ephraim.
Ephraim will be suspended four games for violating the league substance-abuse policy, according to reports out of Cleveland.
The Browns are already short at the position with the season-ending injury to LeCharles Bentley and the sudden retirement of Bob Hallen. Veteran Ross Tucker was acquired last week in a trade with the Patriots.
The violation occurred in 2005 while Ephraim was with Miami, said one of the sources, and carries over to the Browns, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
Neither the Browns nor the NFL will comment on the suspension until the player has a chance to appeal.
After practice on Tuesday, Ephraim said he had no comment about the situation.
"I'm just practicing and trying to get better," he told The Plain Dealer.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2551170