Berea, Ohio -- The Browns got a minor scare Tuesday when starting center Cam Erving's practice was cut short by a left elbow injury but coach Hue Jackson said it's not believed to be serious.

"He'll be fine,'' Jackson said. "I think he just got, I'll call it a ding. I don't think it's anything serious, but obviously, we'll check it out and see where he is. I think he'll be fine. He's really important to what we've been doing on offense."

Erving suffered the injury during an 11-on-11 goal line drill and wore an ice-wrap from elbow to wrist for the next 20 minutes or so. He was done for the day, but never headed inside, which was a good sign. The Browns are counting on Erving to fill the enormous shoes vacated by three-time Pro Bowler Alex Mack this season.

"He's been doing outstanding,'' Jackson said. "I've been very, very impressed with Cam. We have a group up front led by (OL) Joe (Thomas) that's starting to really grow and start to have an identity of what it takes to play in the National Football League. I think we'll keep growing and keep pushing. They'll follow the lead of Joe and (OL) Joel Bitonio and Cam. We have a chance to be a good offensive line."

Fortunately for Erving, the Browns have Wednesday off -- their first break after five straight days of practice, including the last three in pads. If he needs any more time, there are several candidates to step in, including second-year pro Garth Gerhart and undrafted rookie Mike Matthews, the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews.

Hawk's hammy

Andrew Hawkins, the Browns' top slot receiver candidate, tweaked his left hamstring later in the practice and sat out the rest of the afternoon. He had the leg wrapped with ice for part of the time.

"Yeah, these hamstrings this time of year, it's unfortunate, but I think he'll be OK,'' Jackson said. "I don't know how bad it is, but it is a hamstring. We'll handle that accordingly and get him back out there as soon as we can."

Josh McCown's been invaluable

Jackson praised McCown for helping Robert Griffin III become a leader and for mentoring the other quarterbacks. Whether or not that will be a factor in him sticking around remains to be seen.

"That'll be an organizational decision about all of our quarterbacks,'' he said. "At the same time, Josh McCown is very important to me. He's a guy with a lot of skins on the wall. He's done a lot of great things in this league and understands it. We know how all of this goes.

"This is not just about who you like. It's about what's best for our organization. He's done a tremendous job and what a good football player. I'm really grateful to have him here and be around him. I think all of the quarterbacks are, too, because he's been outstanding."

John Hughes absent

Hughes was excused for a personal reason Tuesday.