Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Joe Haden against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Browns cornerback Joe Haden is facing the prospect of missing his fifth game this season. Andrew Weber Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns may be without one-half of their starting secondary once again this Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Head coach Mike Pettine refused to comment on the status of his two Pro Bowl selections in the secondary, saying both cornerback Joe Haden and safety Donte Whitner remain in the league's concussion protocol.
"I talked to Joe but I'm not going to get into his personal feeling about it," Pettine said. "He's still in the protocol."
Both players have yet to practice since getting injured in Week 8 against Arizona. Backup safety Jordan Poyer, who missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, was back at practice Thursday on a limited basis. If he is able to play Sunday, he'll likely split reps with rookie Ibraheim Campbell, assuming Whitner is inactive once again.
The Browns' secondary will have its hands full either way against Steelers All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown, who caught 17 balls for 284 yards last week against Oakland.
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