CLEVELAND -- The good news is the Browns will have Joe Haden and Paul Kruger for their key AFC North game with the Steelers today. Both players had missed time with injuries this week.
The bad news is they will be without Ahtyba Rubin, Billy Winn and Phil Taylor on their defensive line.
Haden was limited on Wednesday and Thursday with a hip injury he suffered during last week's 29-28 win over the Tennessee Titans. Haden didn't miss any time in the game but came out of it with soreness throughout the week.
Haden was limited on Friday during practice and Mike Pettine said he would be a game time decision. Rookie Justin Gilbert is expected to spell Haden, if necessary.
Kruger missed Thursday and Friday's practices with a back injury that Pettine wouldn't say when it happened. Both Haden and Kruger were on the field a couple of hours before the game working with trainers to determine their playing status.
On the negative side, the Browns will be without two starting defensive linemen as Taylor had arthroscopic surgery on his knee this week. Also, Winn was ruled out with a quad injury on Friday.
Rubin injured his ankle on Thursday in practice and was listed as questionable for the game. He was made inactive and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen will start in his place at nose tackle with Armonty Bryant starting at left defensive end.
In a surprise move, rookie running back Terrance West was inactive over rookie running back Glenn Winston. It was a coaching decision and not injury related per the Browns.
Other inactives were: WR Rodney Smith, CB Pierre Desir and TE Gerell Robinson.
