Former Browns RB Rhett sues team doctor

Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Former Cleveland Browns running back Errict Rhett is suing a team doctor and the Cleveland clinic after what he feels was a misdiagnosis of a foot injury that ended his career.

As a member of the Browns in 2000, Rhett suffered a broken foot against the Baltimore Ravens. He then had surgery and tried to make a return in 2001.

John Bergfeld, a team doctor affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic, did not perform the surgery but cleared Rhett to play in July 2001. Rhett was cut two days later and has not played since.

Rhett argued in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday that his foot was not completely healed. Rhett believed he needed at least two more months to recover. The lawsuit seeks at least $25,000 in damages.

League rules require teams to pay players who are on injured reserve. They cannot be cut until they return to active status.

Rhett's suit charges that Bergfeld cleared him to play so Cleveland could cut him. Rhett noted other doctors who examined his foot said he should not have been cleared to play.

The Florida product had rushed for 4,143 yards and 29 touchdowns on 1,174 carries in 85 career games. Rhett also caught 89 passes for 552 yards and three TDs. He also played for Tampa Bay and Baltimore.

01/16 17:45:45 ET

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