BEREA - Cleveland Browns starting linebacker Chaun Thompson will undergo surgery after breaking a bone in his left wrist during practice.

Browns coach Butch Davis said Thompson injured his wrist a few days ago but continued to play with it in a soft cast.

On Thursday, he'll have a pin inserted into the wrist. The second-year linebacker is expected to miss at least the club's first two preseason games.

Ben Taylor will move into Thompson's spot at strongside linebacker. Taylor started eight games there last season.

The Browns are expecting big things this season from Thompson, a relative unknown when the club selected him with the 52nd overall pick last year out of West Texas A&M.

Thompson played mostly on special teams as a rookie in 2003.