More news and notes after Tuesday's Browns media availability...
About First Place: Pettine said he didn't have to spend much time talking to the team about being in first place after nine games. The Browns haven't been in first place this late in the season since the 1994 season when they started 7-2.
"We talked about it briefly," Pettine said. "(There) are no awards or prizes for being 6-3."
Pettine has been getting a lot of positive talk and mention of "Coach of the Year" candidate for leading the Browns to a 6-3 record so far this season, but he dismissed it.
"That's part of the overreaction," he said. "I'm smart enough to know that I'm a part of it, but it's the staff we put together and players brought in... There's no nine game coach of the year (award). Those are all team awards."
No Cameron, Gipson: The Browns started preparation for their home game with the Texans without TE Jordan Cameron (concussion) and DB Tashaun Gipson (concussion), neither were on the practice field during the open portion of practice.
"(Gipson) came back from the time off complaining of some headache issues," Pettine said. "He said he thinks it occurred in the game, so we're just going to follow the league's protocol and have him evaluated.
"I don't know what the result of the evaluation was, but we'll have more information (Wednesday)."
On the stationary bike were WR Andrew Hawkins (thigh, knee) and OL Nick McDonald (undisclosed).
Cameron has missed the last two games after suffering a concussion against the Raiders.
"He's been okay for the past couple of days," Pettine said. "He was here today. We'll have a better sense (Wednesday) when he's in the building."
Taylor Back: DL Phil Taylor left the field late in the Bengals game and didn't return. However, he was back at practice on Tuesday. Taylor was playing his first game since having arthroscopic injury on Oct. 8.
"I think getting Phil back was a good spark for us," Pettine said. "He gave us some quality reps. He was very disruptive."
Taylor had three tackles and a pass broken up.
Agnew Back: Small Gone: FB Ray Agnew was re-signed and FB Kiero Small was released.
"It was just an evaluation (process)," Pettine said. "We wanted to see Small and compare it to the body of work to Agnew and decided it was time to switch back."
Haslam Thanks Vets: Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was at practice and went individual to individual to thank each veteran that was invited to watch the Browns practice. All five branches of the armed forces were represented in Berea.
The Browns welcomed 75 military guests and the USO of Northern Ohio during Tuesday's practice on Veterans Day.
The Browns will hold its Salute to Service game when the team hosts the Texans on Sunday as the game's coin toss captain.
