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In Weeks 3 and 4, the Browns (1-4) pounded the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals with a ferocious rushing attack that yielded 173 and 116 yards. Last week, though, they had only 48 yards on the ground against the Atlanta Falcons, when Hillis was in and out of the lineup with a pulled quadriceps.
Recently acquired running back Mike Bell, whom the Browns traded Jerome Harrison for earlier this week, might also receive some carries Sunday. Bell practiced with the Browns for the first time on Thursday, and he has been cramming to learn a new offense ever since.
The Steelers have a stellar running game and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is set to return from a suspension, but Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is confident in his preparation. "I'm not going to win any beauty contests," Ryan said. "But I know one thing: I can work." . . . Mack (center) and Womack (right guard) returned to practice Friday after missing action the previous two days. They both said they expect to play Sunday. . . . The Browns have 14 players listed on their injury report. The Steelers have one - offensive lineman Trai Essex (ankle) is doubtful.
With rookie quarterback Colt McCoy established as a virtual lock to start Sunday, the Browns hope Hillis' prognosis is on the money. They need their workhorse to help diversify the offense, especially because McCoy is expected to make his NFL regular-season debut against one of the league's toughest defenses.
"It's a strain, and I've been off it now for five days," he said. "It feels great. I've tested my limits some."
The Browns can also help McCoy by making big special-teams plays in the return game. Cribbs returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the Browns' first game against the Steelers last season, but he still hasn't had a game-changing return this fall.
Hillis said his most recent injury is unrelated to any of his previous ailments.
Matchup to watch
In addition to Hillis, the following players are listed on the injury report: quarterbacks Jake Delhomme (ankle) and Seneca Wallace (ankle), defensive lineman Robaire Smith (back) and offensive lineman John St. Clair (ankle) are doubtful; defensive linemen Kenyon Coleman (knee) and Shaun Rogers (elbow), tight end Robert Royal (shoulder), safety Nick Sorensen (calf) and offensive lineman Floyd Womack (knee) are questionable; wide receiver Josh Cribbs (ankle), safety Abram Elam (knee) and offensive linemen Alex Mack (shoulder) and [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] (shin) are probable.
By NATE ULRICH - Akron Beacon Journal
"No matter who's taking the snaps or what team you're playing, running the ball effectively is always a high priority, no matter what team you play on or what you specialize in," said Hillis, who was limited in practice Friday and is listed as questionable on the team's injury report. "Running the football is a big priority, and we have to do that this week."
"We have to recognize that it's a pop kick and everyone has to get on their blocks sooner. I have to yell out the go calls to get my guys moving. It's not a one-person thing. It's everybody."
On Friday, Delhomme and Wallace, both of whom suffered right high-ankle sprains, were spotted in the Browns' locker room with walking boots. Although coach Eric Mangini has not officially named McCoy the starting quarterback for Sunday, all signs are pointing to McCoy as the starter.
"Everyone is pop kicking it, even the kickers that have good legs,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]," Cribbs said. "It's a copycat league. And teams will continue to pop kick it until we get it out to the 40 all the time or across the 50.
Seeking big returns
"He's an explosive, shorter guy," Daboll said of the 6-foot, 242-pound Harrison. "He's a speed to power guy. He's got an array of pass-rush moves, and him and Joe have had some good battles the last two years. Joe's gotta be on point with his technique. He's gotta be ready for him to go ahead and try to bull over him. I think Joe will respond well this week."
"I think (McCoy) had a really good week (at practice). He's got the confidence we need. If we can do our job up front, the running backs do their job, it'll make his job easier. If we can run the ball well in the beginning, get the first downs, then I think that's gonna open up the passing game for him and it's gonna make his life easier."
"There's other teams out there that have started rookies," left guard Eric Steinbach said. "It's probably not the best situation for him to come in right away, but that's the situation we were given. The cards were dealt, and we've got to go answer no matter who we're playing.
Brownies
"(The key to adjusting is) just being able to slow things down," Bell said. "If things aren't going 100 miles per hour, you can play football and have fun. When the game gets bigger than you is when you start to struggle. So what I'm trying to do is break it down to where it makes sense to me."
BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis returned to practice Friday and declared he would "be very surprised" if he's not 100 percent healthy for his team's upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1).
Left offensive tackle [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] struggled last week against the Falcons, surrendering two sacks against veteran defensive end John Abraham. On Sunday, [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will face another force in Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison, an Akron native and the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"He's your bell cow, the guy you go to," offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said of Hillis. ... "His rhythm wasn't where it probably needed to be (against the Falcons) just because he came out the first play. He did the hurdle (over the) guy. We put it on the ground and gave them the ball back. Then he got a couple more runs going and came back out. So we'd like to try to get him into a flow (against the Steelers). God willing, he's ready to roll."
Hillis expected back in Browns' backfield for Steelers game