Amid rumors that Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius will never play again, the team’s General Manager says that the veteran wideout will be starting the season on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list.

Such a move would cause Jurevicius, who has had three surgeries to eradicate a staph infection that developed after an arthroscopic surgery in January, to miss at least six weeks of the regular season.

“It’s been pretty frustrating for everybody because this started as an innocent knee scope back in January, and it’s morphed itself into multiple procedures,” Savage told WTAM radio on Thursday (via James Walker of ESPN.com).  “Obviously every time he’s taken a step forward, it’s been two steps back.  So it’s a bit up in the air right now. . . .  He’s going to be looked at again obviously next week before we get started and probably will start on that PUP list.”

There had been conflicting reports recently as to whether Jurevicius will play at all in 2008, which is due to be his final NFL season.  If he plays, it won’t be until late October, at the earliest.

It’s hardly a fatal blow to the team’s chances in 2008.  The Browns signed free-agent Donte’ Stallworth in March to serve as the No. 2 wideout; it had been anticipated that Jurevicius would see time in 2008 as the third receiver. 

Still, it raises questions about their depth.  If No. 1 wideout Braylon Edwards or Stallworth or tight end Kellen Winslow are injured, Jurevicius won’t be there to pick up the slack.