Zak Zinter returned to the gridiron to participate in the Cleveland Browns’ rookie minicamp.
The former Michigan offensive lineman practiced for the first time since suffering a broken tibia and fibula during last November’s victory over Ohio State. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski provided a positive update on the No. 85 pick’s progress.
“He looks good,” Stefanski said of Zinter. “He’s comfortable. He’s working very hard with [offensive line coaches] Andy [Dickerson] and Roy [Istvan] and those guys. I’m just really pleased with where he is, but he looked comfortable to me.”
Zinter was excited to put on a helmet for the first time in months. The All-American called it “fun” to learn a new offense and get acquainted with his new teammates in Cleveland.
“I’ve been itching to get back out there on the field, you know what I mean? I’ve been going through the whole process, and not being able to compete or do anything,” Zinter told reporters Saturday. “It felt great. It’s what I’ve been working for my whole rehab to get back out there.”
Zinter’s gruesome injury didn’t deter Cleveland from making the four-year starter a third-round pick last month. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team “felt really good” about Zinter’s medical evaluations and has “no concern” about his recovery.
“Zak, we just thought, was a rock-solid all-around player his entire career at Michigan,” Berry said after the Browns drafted Zinter. “He was really the heartbeat of their culture when we met with him throughout the pre-draft process. Very smart, professional, passionate about football, and I think his blue-collar mentality will really fit well within our offensive line room.”