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Browns void Moffitt trade

BEREA – The Browns are back in the market for a right guard. John Moffitt came and went in one day.

Cleveland voided its trade with Seattle for Moffitt on Tuesday, revoking the deal because of health concerns for the third-year lineman who has undergone knee and elbow surgeries the past two seasons.

Needing an experienced right guard with starter Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston sidelined with ankle injuries, the Browns acquired Moffitt Monday from the Seahawks for defensive lineman Brian Sanford. Moffitt excitedly spoke to reporters about a new start in Cleveland on Tuesday and even took the practice field in uniform with his helmet before he was escorted off by Browns coach Rob Chudzinski.

Later, the 6-foot-4, 319-pound Moffitt was traded to Denver, which sent defensive tackle Sealver Siliga to Seattle.

By nullifying the deal for Moffitt, the Browns retain their rights to Sanford. He has spent the past two years bouncing between the practice squad and Cleveland’s active roster.

Moffitt started nine games as a rookie in 2011 before tearing a knee ligament and undergoing season-ending surgery. He had an operation on his elbow last season before starting Seattle’s final six games and helping the Seahawks make the playoffs.

The Browns are in a bind at guard with Lauvao and Pinkston both expected to miss more than one month. Unless they acquire another player, the Browns may start the season with rookie Garrett Gilkey, a left tackle in college, at right guard.

Lauvao underwent surgery last week to have debris in his ankle removed. He injured it during practice two weeks ago.

“I just thought I rolled my ankle,” said Lauvao, who started all 16 games at right guard last season. “We did X-rays and the MRI, and it showed some stuff in there that we needed to clean out. I want to come back.”

Pinkston was injured Thursday night when teammate John Greco fell on his ankle while trying to block Lions defensive end Nick Fairley. Pinkston pounded the ground after he was hurt, and he initially feared he had broken his ankle.

“I was a little frustrated, but injuries happen,” said Pinkston, who was hospitalized last season with blood clots in his lungs. “It’s a physical game. Just another step in the road. This is definitely a lot easier than the blood clot, because I know I’ll be back.”

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