The Browns are not expected to use their franchise tag on Peyton Hillis, according to a report. Cleveland would still like to sign the 26-year-old running back before the free-agent period begins on March 13. After breaking out for 1,177 yards rushing and 477 yards receiving in 2010, Hillis spent much of last season squabbling over his contract, then got hurt and played in only 10 games, finishing with 587 yards.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert had a good reason to miss the NFL Combine this month. He is recovering from recent heart surgery, team president Mike Holmgren said Monday. Holmgren stressed that Heckert "will be an integral part of the draft process" and would return to the Browns facility on Tuesday.

The Browns have re-signed D'Qwell Jackson to a five-year contract. The linebacker will earn $42.5 million over the life of the deal and it includes $19 million in guaranteed money and roster bonuses, according to a league source. Jackson would have received $8.8 million under the franchise tag, which would nearly double his $4.5 million salary from last season.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert is not attending the NFL combine in Indianapolis because of an unspecified medical issue. On Friday, WTAM, the team's flagship radio station reported that Heckert had surgery this week. Earlier this week, Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Heckert is participating in interviews at the combine via his computer at home.

The Browns, who own two first-round draft picks, won't be afraid to make trades on Draft Day. "I wouldn't say we're hesitant to do anything," coach Pat Shurmur said. "We're excited about the fact that we're going to make our team better with this draft, and I think that's the way we approach it. We're not hesitant at all. "I think we're willing (to move up). With two first-round picks (Nos. 4 and 22), we have flexibility. We can just stand pat and take two really fine players, guys that we hope would be starters for us. And then, obviously with two first-round picks, you have flexibility if you want to do something."

The Browns are expected to try and make a play for Matt Flynn, the top free-agent quarterback on the market right now. Mike Holmgren isn't a fan of quarterback competitions, so Flynn would likely to handed the starting job outright over both Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace.

The Browns, who have the fourth overall pick in April's NFL Draft, claim it is premature that they would take Robert Griffin III if the opportunity presents itself. Pat Shurmur said people are jumping the gun when they assume that Cleveland would move on from Colt McCoy and take Griffin III if available. "I think what happens is, there's a lot that gets said and written at this time and it's very interesting to everyone," Shurmur said. "Folks are making predictions while we're still gathering information. That's the important part. That's the exciting thing about the Combine."

The Browns head into this week's NFL Combine with several holes to fill and there are five prospects they will keep a close watch on. The Cleveland Plain Dealer lists quarterback Robert Griffin III, wide receiver Justin Blackmon, running back Trent Richardson, cornerback Morris Claiborne and quarterback Ryan Tannehill as options with the fourth overall pick.

If the Browns aren't able to sign D'Qwell Jackson to a long-term contract, they will use their franchise tag on the linebacker, according to a source. The franchise salary for linebackers is expected to be $8.8 million for the 2012 season. Cleveland has until March 5 to use their franchise tag. "We're looking for a long-term deal and that's what both parties would like to accomplish before free agency starts on Mar. 13," said Jackson's agent, Brian Mackler. Mackler characterized the talks as going "Ok."

Benjamin Watson is doing "great" despite landing on the season-ending reserve in December due to concussion problems. Watson played in 13 games and suffered three concussions, including in the preseason. After the third, which occurred against Pittsburgh in Week 14, doctors decided it would be best for him to shut it down. "I'm great. Three or four days after the last incident, I felt normal. I past all my cognitive tests. I didn't have any headaches. I didn't have any nausea. I didn't have any dizziness," Watson said. "With three games left, they just erred on the side of caution and decided to end the season for me. You hate for that to happen, but that's why the doctors are in place. As far as lingering symptoms, I didn't have anything. I know some guys have headaches for weeks. That wasn't my scenario, thankfully. So hopefully, it was just a bad luck year."