Already shaky, the Browns' secondary is in shambles.
And then there's free agent rookie defensive backs K'Waun Williams and Robert Nelson, who may see the field extensively this week against Pittsburgh.
''If they have to play, they have to play,'' Browns coach Mike Pettine said of the two youngsters.
It's not a pretty picture.
Haden's injury - he got hurt on a punt in the second half of Sunday's historic comeback in Tennessee - is the last thing the Browns (2-2) need as they try to patch up a disappointing defense. Cleveland is ranked 31st overall in the league and the Browns have been equally ineffective stopping the run and pass.
Haden hasn't played up to his standards and even if he does suit up this week, it's unlikely he'll be 100 percent. That's never a good thing against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has a knack for finding a weakness, exposing it and doing serious damage.
He's 18-1 in his career against the Browns.
Pettine said Wednesday he's ''cautiously optimistic'' Haden will play, and the Browns can't afford to be without their top cornerback, who will be matched up with Antonio Brown, the Steelers' leading receiver.
Pettine was predictably vague when discussing Haden's injury and status.
''We're not quite sure,'' Pettine said. ''There's some soreness in it. He went through the walkthrough this morning. We'll be very cautious with it. You get to the point with certain guys where you feel good about their practice habits and where they are. You get them into Sunday mode. We'll keep a very close eye on that.''
The No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, Gilbert has failed to live up to expectations. The former Oklahoma State standout has struggled from the start, and his problems reached a crescendo last week when he was on the field for just nine snaps in the Browns' 29-28 win over the Titans.
Mindful that Gilbert could be in a fragile state, Pettine has remained publicly upbeat that Gilbert is experiencing growing pains and will only improve.
''Justin's been inconsistent. That's the problem,'' Pettine said. ''He's had his issues and he knows he's been picked on when he's in there, and there's a lot of things that we need to get right with Justin, but we're confident that we're going to do it. Nobody's bailing on him, and if he's getting some tough love in the DB room, so be it.''
Gilbert was not available for interviews. He made a brief appearance in the locker room, but told reporters he had to lift weights and disappeared.
In Sunday's win, Williams had several big tackles and he sacked Titans backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst on the game's final drive.
''I thought I did all right,'' Williams said. ''There were some mistakes, but overall, I had a good game.''
Pettine feels Cleveland's defensive problems are correctable, and can be attributed to a new scheme and season only one-quarter complete. The secondary may currently be brittle and green, but Pettine remains confident the unit will get better.
''I'm not down on that group because they want to get it right,'' he said. ''It's a matter of going out there and putting the work in. There's nothing magical about it. We've shown that we can do it. There are times we get it done, times we don't.''
And then there's free agent rookie defensive backs K'Waun Williams and Robert Nelson, who may see the field extensively this week against Pittsburgh.
''If they have to play, they have to play,'' Browns coach Mike Pettine said of the two youngsters.
It's not a pretty picture.
Haden's injury - he got hurt on a punt in the second half of Sunday's historic comeback in Tennessee - is the last thing the Browns (2-2) need as they try to patch up a disappointing defense. Cleveland is ranked 31st overall in the league and the Browns have been equally ineffective stopping the run and pass.
Haden hasn't played up to his standards and even if he does suit up this week, it's unlikely he'll be 100 percent. That's never a good thing against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has a knack for finding a weakness, exposing it and doing serious damage.
He's 18-1 in his career against the Browns.
Pettine said Wednesday he's ''cautiously optimistic'' Haden will play, and the Browns can't afford to be without their top cornerback, who will be matched up with Antonio Brown, the Steelers' leading receiver.
Pettine was predictably vague when discussing Haden's injury and status.
''We're not quite sure,'' Pettine said. ''There's some soreness in it. He went through the walkthrough this morning. We'll be very cautious with it. You get to the point with certain guys where you feel good about their practice habits and where they are. You get them into Sunday mode. We'll keep a very close eye on that.''
The No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, Gilbert has failed to live up to expectations. The former Oklahoma State standout has struggled from the start, and his problems reached a crescendo last week when he was on the field for just nine snaps in the Browns' 29-28 win over the Titans.
Mindful that Gilbert could be in a fragile state, Pettine has remained publicly upbeat that Gilbert is experiencing growing pains and will only improve.
''Justin's been inconsistent. That's the problem,'' Pettine said. ''He's had his issues and he knows he's been picked on when he's in there, and there's a lot of things that we need to get right with Justin, but we're confident that we're going to do it. Nobody's bailing on him, and if he's getting some tough love in the DB room, so be it.''
Gilbert was not available for interviews. He made a brief appearance in the locker room, but told reporters he had to lift weights and disappeared.
In Sunday's win, Williams had several big tackles and he sacked Titans backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst on the game's final drive.
''I thought I did all right,'' Williams said. ''There were some mistakes, but overall, I had a good game.''
Pettine feels Cleveland's defensive problems are correctable, and can be attributed to a new scheme and season only one-quarter complete. The secondary may currently be brittle and green, but Pettine remains confident the unit will get better.
''I'm not down on that group because they want to get it right,'' he said. ''It's a matter of going out there and putting the work in. There's nothing magical about it. We've shown that we can do it. There are times we get it done, times we don't.''
