Cleveland Browns

Haden, Gipson miss Sunday's loss to Rams; Bowe again a healthy scratch

Published Oct. 25, 2015 5:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Browns were without one-half of their starting secondary once again in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

Corner Joe Haden was inactive for his second straight game with a concussion, while free safety Tashaun missed his third in a row with an ankle injury. Pierre Desir and Jordan Poyer were in the starting lineup as replacements. Even with the injuries, the Rams did most of their damage on the ground as rookie Todd Gurley piled up 128 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

Receiver Dwayne Bowe was a healthy scratch for the third straight game. Head coach Mike Pettine indicated earlier this week that it was going to be tough for the team's highest-paid receiver to crack the lineup with four players ahead of him "entrenched" on the depth chart. Changes might be in order after a dismal performance by those top four wideouts as Travis Benjamin, Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins, and Taylor Gabriel combined for just 13 catches and 105 yards. Gabriel also lost a crucial fumble on the Browns' opening possession which St. Louis picked up and returned for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Josh McCown, who completed 26 of 32 passes for 270 yards before exiting late in the fourth quarter, could probably use a bigger target, especially in the red zone. Bowe is 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds while Hawkins and Gabriel stand at 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-8, respectively.

Linebacker Craig Robertson (ankle) and tight end Rob Housler (hamstring) also missed Sunday's loss due to injury.