BEREA, Ohio -- Quarterback Brandon Weeden, in explaining some of his high throws during Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss in Dallas, lamented the fact that the Browns ran some routes that weren't practiced during the week.

"There's a couple of routes we ran on Sunday for the first time all week and that's not fair to me, it's not fair to the receivers, it's not fair to any of us, because when you're getting thrown in the fire and the bullets are flying . . ." Weeden trailed off on that thought and went on to explain that his elbow was low on some of his throws.

In response to the route issue, coach Pat Shurmur said: "I disagree with some of that because I do think that we make an effort of the ones we're going to call we practice. A lot of the plays that we practice, we've been running all year and you run them in training camp. It's nearly impossible with the amount of time and then the length of the season to practice every single thing multiple times. You see it going on behind me (after practice) right now. They spend extra time working on the individual routes. That's what you've got to do."

Weeden acknowledged that it would be impossible to simulate every route in practice.

"These guys can't run forever," he said. "You want to make sure they're fresh throughout the week. And so if we're doing routes and I throw Josh (Cooper) a comeback, when we get in team period I probably won't throw it to him. I'll probably make him my backside read just so I can throw other routes to other guys. You try to spread them out and you know what you're throwing. You've just got to be constant about it because most plays we only run once a practice.

"That means you're throwing to one receiver. That means two or three receivers aren't getting a touch, aren't getting a catch, they're not getting the ball thrown their way. That's tough on them, so (it's) just limited amount of reps. We can't be out there for three hours and we can't go out and run every single route and make every throw. It's tough. That's why I like to do it after practice, walk through them or whatever. And you look at guys like Peyton Manning, that's what he does. Those guys are on point because he takes a lot of pride in being on time with all of his guys."

Receiver Mohamed Massaquoui didn't think it was an issue.

"Sometimes you may not be sure if you're going to run a play in a game and then you see a look presents itself, and you didn't really put emphasis on it in practice but it's available for the game, so you run it," he said. "It's not a matter of if we have enough time to practice. We make sure we get our base fundamental stuff in."

Weeden, who completed 57.1 percent of his passes in Dallas, said he went back and watched all 35 pass plays a third time and then ran through 15 routes after practice on Wednesday. He also worked on them after practice on Friday.

Haden, Skrine probable: Browns cornerbacks Joe Haden (oblique) and Buster Skrine (concussion) are both probable for the Steelers and both said they'll play.

Haden sat out last week's 23-20 overtime loss in Dallas, and Skrine was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion. "Yep, ready to go," said Haden. "(I'm) 90 percent. It's good enough. I can do everything."

Haden said he was close to playing in Dallas.

"I went out early with a coach and was running around," Haden said. "The first time I really went for a ball I said, 'Oh (shoot)." I wasn't quite ready. Coach was like 'Look, Joe, you know we need you to cover Dez (Bryant) and if you can't do that, then just shut it down.' I was like 'Yeah, that's probably best.' "

With Haden out, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw for 313 yards, Bryant caught 12 passes for 145 yards and the defensive backs were penalized seven times.

Skrine left in the fourth quarter after his head-to-head collission with receiver Kevin Ogletree, who was knocked into Skrine after a blow by T.J. Ward. Ward's hit drew a $25,000 fine, because the NFL determined that he made contact with Ogletree's helmet. Both Skrine and Ogletree suffered concussions, and Ogletree sat out Thursday's loss to the Redskins.

"I passed all of my concussion tests," said Skrine. "I'm feeling better. (Yes) I'll play."

Skrine said it was his first concussion and that he was knocked out cold for "a little bit, for a couple of seconds." He said he wasn't surprised about the violent collisions. "I know T.J. Ward's a hard hitter," he said. "When he hit him, (Ogletree) flew back. . . . I told (Ward) no more friendly fire."

Skrine said that even though the Browns won't have to face Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday, they're not taking third-teamer Charlie Batch lightly. "Their offense is still good," said Skrine. "And as everybody knows, they have a really good defense, too. We know we're gonna have to battle it out. It's probably gonna be an end (of game) decision."

No surrender: Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was adamant about the Browns not going through with their white-flag Ticketmaster promotion Sunday at the Stadium. Every fan in attendance will receive a white flag with the Browns name and orange helmet on it. But the 12th man waving the white flag against the Steelers and their Terrible Towels?

"I try not to get caught up in what goes on outside, tend to focus on the Steelers, but I'm not a fan of the white flags," said Jackson. "That's the simplest way I can put it. I'm not a fan of it whatsoever knowing that we're going to see the Terrible Towels flying. It's just not a message that I like and I'm sure a lot of other guys don't approve of."

Kicker Phil Dawson's non-answer said it all. "I'm sorry," he said. "When your mom told you growing up if you don't have anything good to say, it's probably better not to say it, I think I'm gonna follow those words."

More of Mo? Massaquoi was happy to hear that offensive coordinator Brad Childress hopes to use him more now that he's more fully recovered from his pulled hamstring.

"I'm excited and I'm gonna try to turn this thing loose. So whatever workload I'm given, I'm gonna handle it and I'm gonna maximize it and I'm gonna go out there and make all the plays that I can."

He said he's getting close to 100 percent.

"Yeah I feel good," he said. "It's just a matter of maintaining it and making sure it's strong and just being smart to warm up so that when I go out there, nothing happens. But as far as being comfortable to run any route, I'm fine."

Injuries: Browns defensive backs Dimitri Patterson (ankle) and Ray Ventrone (calf) have been ruled out. Eleven Browns are probable, including receiver Cooper, who suffered a knee injury in Dallas, and Ward, who has a knee and ankle injury. For the Steelers, quarterbacks Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich, and receiver Jericho Cotchery have been ruled out; safety Troy Polamalu (calf) is doubtful and receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) is questionable.