Browns Injuries: Good News on Haden, Kruger
The Cleveland Browns injuries were a big concern going into today’s game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As many as four starters could have missed the game. We covered the three big ones here. The Inactives list was just announced and Joe Haden and Paul Kruger will play. Good news for the Browns:
#Browns inactives: DL Ahtyba Rubin, RB Terrance West, DL Phil Taylor, DL Billy Winn, TE Gerrell Robinson, CB Pierre Desir, WR Rodney Smith
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 12, 2014
The bad news for the Browns is that Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin and Billy Winn will all be missing off the defensive line. All three were expected to play a huge role on the defensive front 3 but that unit has struggled greatly. The Browns had good depth there but that will be tested today by the running game of the Steelers.
Ishmaa’ily Kitchen should plug a big hole in the middle of the line while Armonty Bryant and Desmond Bryant, along with John Hughes will take the outside. Expect Mike Pettine to play Jabaal Sheard and possibly Kruger on the line some as well to make up for the losses. Kitchen’s endurance could be a concern.
Haden has struggled against Antonio Brown but is still by far the Browns best corner. Without him the Browns would have started Justin Gilbert, who saw very few snaps last year.
Earlier we discussed Terrance West as a healthy scratch.
How big is having Haden and Kruger healthy today?