BEREA - Browns quarterback Tim Couch sustained a sprained knee ligament in Sunday's loss at Seattle, but the injury isn't as bad as originally feared.

''I think I got pretty lucky after watching the replay,'' Couch said Monday.

Couch, who was brought in to start the second half in place of an ineffective Kelly Holcomb, was injured on just his fifth play. On a 5-yard completion to tight end Darnell Sanders, Couch got his legs tangled in a heap of bodies and went down awkwardly.

He was helped off the field and did not return. An MRI test taken Monday was negative.

''It has loosened up a bit,'' said Couch, who was making his first appearance since Oct. 26. ''It was sore after sitting for three hours on the plane, but it's better.''

Couch is hoping that he'll be well enough to dress for Monday night's game against St. Louis. He won't be starting, though, as coach Butch Davis said Holcomb will open against the Rams.