Cleveland Browns rule out three for Steelers game
By Thomas Moore
Aug 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) blocks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns released their final injury report for Sunday’s game with the Pittsburgh Steelers and it does not look good for the secondary.
The Browns will once again be without cornerback Joe Haden and safety Donte Whitner, who are both still dealing with concussions, and may be without safety Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring) and Tashaun Gipson (illness), who are both listed as questionable.
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That’s in addition to not having starting left guard Joel Bitonio and the ongoing question over who will be the starting quarterback.
Going up against the Steelers’ Antonio Brown, who already has 69 receptions and 1,002 yards on the season (the Browns top 3 wide receivers have 1,027 combined yards), was going to be hard enough without major pieces missing from the secondary.
“He’s a playmaker. Some of the stuff he does on the football field, you rewind it and ‘How did he do that?’” defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “He’s got unbelievable ball skills. He runs great routes. He’s explosive. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. I think we have a good plan. I’m excited for Sunday.”
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On offense, the Browns will also see Cameron Erving make his first NFL start in place of Bitonio.
“I think he is ready,” left tackle Joe Thomas said. “I am excited to see what he can do out there in a full game. He got a little bit of a taste last week. I think he will do a good job.”
Should be an exciting day for a Cleveland team that has not won in Pittsburgh since 2003 and has only beaten the Steelers on the road twice since 1989.
The full injury report for the Browns shows: Out: Joel Bitonio (ankle), Joe Haden (concussion) and Donte Whitner (concussion). Questionable: Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring), Tashaun Gipson (illness), Josh McCown (ribs) and Jodan Poyer (shoulder). Probable: Brian Hartline (concussion), Andrew Hawkins (concussion) and Johnny Manziel (elbow).
The full injury report for the Steelers shows: Out: Matt Spaeth (knee), James Harrison (knee), Shamarko Thomas (knee) and Terence Garvin (knee). Questionable: Ben Roethlisberger (foot). Probable: Ryan Shazier (knee), DeAngelo Williams (foot). Heath Miller (not injury related), Will Johnson (back), Marcus Gilbert (toe), Isaiah Pead (knee), Steve McLendon (elbow) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring).