Brown RB Hillis improving fast, could play

Berea, OH – Four days after head coach Pat Shurmur ruled him out, Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis was eying a possible return to the field Sunday at Cincinnati.

Shurmur said Monday that Hillis would miss his sixth straight game because of a hamstring injury, but walked that statement back after Hillis participated on a limited basis in practice Friday.

The fifth-year back, officially listed as questionable, would be a game-time decision, Shurmur said.

Hillis was a non-participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, although Shurmur said he was able to work a little on Thursday.

"He did some good stuff yesterday after practice and he's made huge progress this week," the coach said. "Although I ruled him out early in the week, and I've said all along his hamstring has come back quicker than we thought, I'm going to make him a game-time decision. So we'll just have to see."

Running backs Montario Hardesty (calf) and Owen Marecic (head) were among the other Browns listed as questionable for Sunday.

Hillis last played on October 16 against Oakland and has rushed for just 211 yards and two touchdowns in four games this season. He broke out last season, gaining 1,177 with 11 scores in 16 games.