BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine will be in the starting lineup and wear a cast to protect his surgically repaired right thumb in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Skrine said the cast will not limit him, though.

"I can do everything with it," he said.

Skrine described his injury merely as "a thumb injury," and the defensive lineman said to ask coach Mike Pettine when asked the reason for his wrist surgery.

Desmond Bryant worked on the side Wednesday in practice, but Skrine took part in practice.

Skrine will start despite missing the last three preseason games after hurting the thumb in practice. It says something about the way he was performing in practice, and about the way rookie first round pick Justin Gilbert struggled.

"It feels good to start and that the coaches trust me to start," Skrine said. "I'm just going to capitalize off of every year I've been here, guys have come in and I was competing. Just because I'm starting doesn't mean Justin won't play a lot of corner either. We have certain packages where we're all going to play a lot."

Bryant had tape on his left wrist from the surgical scar. He blamed the issue on "football in general," but said he reported feeling good but then needed the procedure.

"I'm just trying to take it day by day," Bryant said. "It's getting a little better each day and as soon as I can get back out there I will."