August 26, 2006, 9:50 pm

Braylon Edwards is back.

The Cleveland Browns' second-year wide receiver returned to the field for the first time since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery in Saturday's 20-17 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Edwards was in for 16 plays and caught a nine-yard pass from Charlie Frye to set up the Browns' first touchdown. Edwards had not appeared in a game since injuring his knee on Dec. 4.

Afterward, Edwards said he felt no soreness and didn't expect any. In fact, he said he felt so good after the first quarter that he removed a knee brace the Browns' training staff had given him and played without it from the second quarter on.

"We're good," Edwards said afterward, meeting reporters in a lime green and yellow suit. "We're more than good."

Several Browns players said it was good to see Edwards, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, back on the field.

"It's absolutely great," veteran wide receiver Joe Jurevicius said. "What he can provide is just huge to our offense."

Edwards said he had no doubt he would be ready to play the entire game when the Browns open their season Sept. 10 at Browns Stadium against the New Orleans Saints.

"(The knee) felt good," he said. "I got hit, I gave a few hits, I caught a pass. Everything I could ask for happened, and it held up fine."

-- John Dudley