Browns Injury Report Heading into Thursday Game
By Peter Smith
Sep 16, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is brought down by the Cleveland Browns defensive tackle John Hughes (93) during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Browns 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
The injury report leading up to the Thursday night game against the Bills has more questions than answers for the Browns. Billy Winn (quad), Jabaal Sheard (knee), and Quentin Groves (ankle) are all doubtful or already out and expected to miss the game. They will hopefully be able to make strides over the next week and a half to be ready or far closer for the Lions game. The statuses of Shawn Lauvao and John Hughes are listed as questionable and those could have an impact on the game and in the case of Lauvao, the Browns might have already tried to sell them on him not playing.
In his press conference today, Norv Turner talked up the right side of the line with Mitchell Schwartz and Oniel Cousins. He said they had the best game of the year so far, which is not an overly high bar by any stretch but still something to put out there. Lauvao has said he is optimistic about his ability to play in this game but whether the Browns are trying to get one more game out of Cousins to get Lauvao fully healthy for the Lions or they are trying to talk up Cousins to fans with how he has struggled or some combination of both is unclear.
The potential loss of Hughes is a little more problematic. The Browns have guys who can come in and play but not having Winn and Hughes shrinks their rotation. They will probably be using Ishmaa’ily Kitchen as the primary backup nose tackle with Armonty Bryant rotating at defensive end if Hughes cannot go. Hughes is a big body and the Bills have a big offensive line, so losing him is doable, but not easy by any stretch.
Brandon Weeden (thumb), Billy Cundiff (thigh), Chris Ogbannaya (thigh), and Oniel Cousins (chest) are all listed as probable and should be able to go. Cundiff played through pain last week and it showed with two missed field goals. Ogbannaya and Cousins could both be counted on for heavy contributions this week. It is unclear where Weeden will be on the depth chart.