The Browns got some good news on Friday when cornerback Joe Haden was able to practice for the first time this week.
The bad news is that Haden’s injured hip didn’t allow him to do all that much. Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that coach Mike Pettine said that Haden was “very limited” during the session, which casts more doubt on his status for Sunday than the questionable tag the Browns gave him might suggest.
If Haden can’t play, the Browns will turn to first-round pick Justin Gilbert in his place. Pettine said that Gilbert, who has seen his reps drop dramatically the last two weeks, had his best week of practice this week.
Haden isn’t the only question mark on defense heading into the weekend. Linebacker Paul Kruger missed his second straight practice with a back injury and was listed as questionable along with defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, who has an ankle injury. Defensive ends Phil Taylor (knee) and Billy Winn (quad) have already been ruled out, so it could be a thin defensive unit taking on the Steelers this weekend.
