It took all of about two minutes for news to come out of the start of Browns minicamp Tuesday morning.

LeCharles Bentley was in uniform, and Browns General Manager Phil Savage said Bentley was medically cleared by the team on Monday night, then passed the running test that all players must pass before they participate in on-field practice work.

Just how much work Bentley will be able to do on the field over the next three days remains to be seen, but his presence alone is seen by many as a remarkable step. Bentley signed with the Browns in March 2006 but suffered a torn patellar tendon during the Browns' first training camp practice four months later and hasn't been able to play since.

"It's been a long road back," Savage said. "I can't say to what extent he'll be working or what he'll be able to do, but you have to give him a lot of credit for working to get to this point.

"Obviously he's made tremendous strides to even be here. He really wants to do this. You tip your hat to him for all the work he's put in trying to get back on the field."

Savage said Kellen Winslow is in the building and is expected to participate on a "limited" basis, as is Gary Baxter. Both were stretching with the team at the beginning of practice.

Steve Heiden was also on the field Tuesday morning; he missed most of the team's spring work while recovering from back surgery.

Still rehabbing and out for this week are Joe Jurevicius, Ryan Tucker, Steve Sanders and Justin Sandy. Savage said Donte' Stallworth and Brandon McDonald have been excused due to deaths in their families.

Lennie Friedman's wife gave birth yesterday, but Friedman was on the practice field Tuesday morning. Stay tuned for more throughout the day including raw video, press conferences and stories.

The Browns will practice twice Tuesday, twice Wednesday and once Thursday before being dismissed for the summer. Training camp is tentatively set to begin in late July.