Cornerback Joe Haden goes up for a football during an interception drill Friday. Haden returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday due to a hip injury. / (Photo by Daryl Ruiter CBS Cleveland)

BEREA (92.3 The Fan) – Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden was back on the practice field Friday but that’s as good as the news gets for the defense on the injury front.

Linebacker Paul Kruger missed his second straight day of practice due to a back issue, nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin was limited Friday due to an ankle injury sustained Thursday while defensive linemen Billy Winn (quad injury) and Phil Taylor (knee surgery) were both ruled out.

Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, who grew up in Youngstown where households are divided between the browns and Steelers, and John Hughes will be active and likely play Sunday.

Pettine isn’t sure if they’ll need to make a additional roster move by Saturday at 4.

“That’s something Ray (Farmer) and I have to talk about,” head coach Mike Pettine said.

Haden, Kruger and Rubin are officially listed as questionable.

If Haden can’t go rookie Justin Gilbert will start in his place and Eric Martin would replace Kruger.

“I hope Paul plays because our team needs him,m” Martin said. “He’s one of the bigger playmakers on our defense. I hope he plays and I’m always ready to go in when he needs it but I definitely would rather he play. I definitely 100 percent rather he play.”

Haden sat out Wednesday and Thursday’s practice after sustaining a hip injury at Tennessee where he did not miss a snap and was still able to finish the game.

Haden stretched then worked with a coach individually before joining the rest of the defensive backs for an interception drill.

“He got a little bit of work off to the side. He was limited, very limited,” Pettine said. “We’re hopeful. It’s a game time decision, but we hope he’ll be able to go obviously.”

K’Waun Williams and Robert Nelson, both undrafted rookie free agents, are also in line to see significant playing time against the Steelers should Haden not play Sunday.

Williams saw 36 snaps in the secondary while the No. 8 overall pick played just 9 snaps against the Titans.

Gilbert admitted Thursday that adjusting to the NFL has been challenging.

“It is. That’s why it’s a fulltime job – football 24/7,” Gilbert said. “It’s been a rocky road – up and down, up and down, so me, it’s trying to get it to stay steady and continue on a straight path beyond now.”

Gilbert has seen his playing time decrease as he continues to struggle with technique and recognition. He played 59 snaps in week 1 at Pittsburgh, 47 against the Saints and 14 against the Ravens.

Haden typically covers Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, who is his last 3 games against Cleveland has racked up 20 catches for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns.

In 7 career games against the Browns, 2 of which have gone for 100-plus yards, Brown has totaled 37 receptions for 610 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Injury Report – OUT: DL Phil Taylor (knee surgery), DL Billy Winn (quad), DB Rodney Smith (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: CB Joe Haden (hip), LB Paul Kruger (back), DL Ahtyba Rubin (ankle); PROBABLE: TE Jordan Cameron (ankle/shoulder), DL Desmond Bryant (wrist), S Tashaun Gipson (shoulder), RG John Greco (knee), OLB Barkevious Mingo (shoulder), CB Buster Skrine (thumb), RB Ben Tate (finger).

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