BEREA, Ohio -- Mike Pettine didn't mince words when he was asked Friday about the importance of Sunday's AFC North divisional game with the Steelers.
"That's an understatement," Pettine said. "It's huge. You can't fall to 0-3 in the division. As we said, the path to our goal is through the division. This is one 'like you said' it's only one, but this is a pretty big one."
The Browns have dropped divisional games to the Ravens and the Steelers thus far in the season and are the only team in the AFC North that hasn't won a game in the division.
Overall, the Bengals lead the division with a 3-1 record, while the Steelers and Ravens are 3-2. The Browns are last at 2-2.
EXTRA POINTS
Haden, Kruger, Rubin Questionable: DB Joe Haden (hip) practiced on a limited basis Friday and will be a game time decision. Pettine said that rookie CB Justin Gilbert would start in Haden's place, if he's unable to go.
"It was good," Pettine said. "He got a little bit of work off to the side. He was limited, very limited. That's a decision we're going to have to...hopefully he has a good day tomorrow getting some treatment. We're hopeful. It's a game time decision, but we hope he'll be able to go obviously."
Pettine said Gilbert had a good week of practice.
"He came out and did his job," he said. "He had a great attitude, competed, made some plays. (He) just raised his level of consistency. He still made some mistakes, but I would say it was his best week of practice."
Also, LB Paul Kruger (back) and DL Ahtyba Rubin (ankle) are listed as questionable. WR Rodney Smith is out for the game, as well.
"He just has an issue with his lower back," Pettine said of Kruger. "(We) just gave him the day. We'll see if he can go on Sunday."
Pettine said that LB Eric Martin would see more time if Kruger can't play.
"Eric would see more of a role," he said. "I think Eric only got two plays against Tennessee, and he had two really good rushes. So, it was already the plan to get him more reps. That's something that if Krug is limited or can't go, then he's going to get those reps anyway."
Winn Out: Earlier in the week, DL Phil Taylor had arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will miss Sunday's game. But another member of the defensive line, Billy Winn has been ruled out with a quad injury.
With Taylor, Winn and possibly DL Ahtyba Rubin (ankle) out Sunday, Pettine said it is likely that DL John Hughes and DL Ishmaa'ily Kitchen would be active.
Challenge of Big Ben: QB Ben Roethlisberger is 18-1 against the Browns and he's still the consistent factor in the Steelers success on offense.
Pettine's defense has faced Roethlisberger since his rookie year while he was on the staff of the Ravens.
"He's still the same guy," Pettine said. "When the play breaks down, he still presents the exact same problems he posed early in his career, he just has a better understanding of knowing where he needs to go (with the ball)."
