Browns place punter McGee on IR, ink Maynard

CLEVELAND -- Browns punter Richmond McGee injured his back during warm-ups before Sunday's season opener, a possible explanation for his horrendous NFL debut. Agent David Canter said McGee suffered a herniated disk before Cleveland hosted Cincinnati, and that the injury was so bad that McGee was kicking without feeling in his legs. McGee averaged just 36 yards on eight punts, shanking his first one 20 yards and later following it with punts of 28 and 30 yards. The Browns placed McGee on injured reserve Tuesday. "He's extremely disappointed, but grateful he got the opportunity," Canter said of McGee, who was signed after Reggie Hodges went down with a season-ending injury.

The Browns signed veteran Brad Maynard, a 14-year veteran who spent the past 10 years with the Chicago Bears. He punted for Houston during the preseason but was waived by the Texans on Sept. 3. Canter said McGee "felt a twinge" while he was warming up on the field Sunday but decided to play. "He told me it got to the point during the game where he couldn't even feel his legs," Canter said. "I knew something was wrong, either he was hurt or he had forgotten how to kick. I felt bad for him because the fans were on him badly, so I called him after the game and he told me what happened." Canter said McGee does not need surgery. The Browns have been in a bind at punter since losing Hodges, who tore his Achilles in training camp on Aug. 2. Hodges was one of the AFC's top punters last season. Maynard could bring them experience as a punter and holder for Phil Dawson on extra points and field goals. The 37-year-old has kicked for the New York Giants and Bears, who released him on July 25. Maynard has averaged 41.9 yards per punt in his career. However his 40.1-yard average on 83 punts last season ranked him 32nd in the league, and his net average of 35.2 was 29th overall. Browns first-year special teams coach Chris Tabor spent the past three seasons with Maynard in Chicago. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.