Browns' Bryant hopeful he'll play in 2016 despite chest injury

Cleveland Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant is refusing to give up on the prospect of playing this season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle.

"Absolutely, I'm hopeful that I can (come back this season)," Bryant told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "The timetable for rehab is four-to-six months, so it's possible. I'll do everything I can to get back as soon as I can."

The Browns announced that Bryant was likely done for the season, but if he's able to hit the low end of his timetable, the veteran could be healthy enough to return in late November.

While he won't be on the field to lead by example, Bryant plans to be around to mentor the younger Browns players. Cleveland allowed a host of veterans to depart in free agency, making his leadership qualities invaluable in the team's inexperienced locker room.

"Nothing has changed,'' he said. "Obviously I won't be on the field, but I'll still be involved as a leader and an athlete as much as I can. I intend to be around as much as possible, every day if that's what it calls for, which I'm sure it will, to kind of help those guys.

"We've got a lot of young guys, especially in the D-line room. I'll try to show those guys the right way to do things, give them pointers and hints wherever I can, on the sidelines, during games, during practice, and off the field.''