The agent of Browns defensive lineman John Hughes told the Beacon Journal on Thursday his client plans to return to the team soon.
“John is going to be fine and expects to return to the team very soon,” Vince Calo, Hughes’ agent, wrote in a text message. “He appreciates everybody’s support and looks forward to the start of the season.”
Hughes, a projected starting defensive end, has missed the past seven practices because of what coach Hue Jackson has repeatedly described as “a personal matter.” Calo didn’t disclose the reason for Hughes’ absence, and the team hasn’t provided further information.
Hughes, 28, is expected to be back with the Browns as early as the beginning of next week. He’ll miss the preseason opener Friday night on the road against the Green Bay Packers, and free-agent acquisition Nick Hayden is set to start in his place.
Hughes had practiced as a starter throughout this offseason until his hiatus. Although he has started only 10 of the 52 games in which he’s appeared, he believes he’s ready to thrive as a fixture in the starting lineup.
“I waited my turn for a long time, played behind a lot of great D-linemen and learned a lot,” Hughes, a third-round pick in the 2012 draft, said Aug. 1. “So I think it’s my time.”
Hughes, 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, has 123 tackles, including 5.5 sacks, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in four seasons.
Last year, he received a four-year extension worth $14.4 million in new money and is under contract through 2019.
Hughes’ return would be good news for the defensive line, especially because it already lost starting end Desmond Bryant to a season-ending torn pectoral muscle last month.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.