PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Loss of Hearing a Risk for Mecklenburg

An inner ear problem will keep former All-Pro linebacker Karl Mecklenburg out of the Denver Broncos’ four exhibitions, and more damage could end his career.

Mecklenburg, however, says he expects to be in the lineup for the season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 5.

He risks permanent hearing loss in his right ear if he continues to injure a membrane, according to one specialist.

“The doctor has said all along that it’s my decision what to do,” Mecklenburg said. “I was told if I was a high school player, she’d tell me not to play football again.”

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Defensive end Rick Bryan will sit out contact work for two weeks at the Atlanta Falcons’ training camp because of a pinched nerve in his neck. Bryan, who sat out last season because of a neck injury, decided to return this year when doctors gave him the OK.