The Browns will be without at least two key defensive players Sunday against the Bills.
Defensive end Olivier Vernon and safety/slot corner Eric Murray were ruled out after Friday's practice. Vernon is battling a knee injury he suffered late in last week's loss to the Broncos while Murray will miss a second consecutive game after undergoing knee surgery.
Safety Damarious Randall, who returned to practice this week after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury, is considered questionable. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said Thursday he was optimistic he'd have Randall back in the mix at a safety position that has lost some key depth with Murray's injury and Jermaine Whitehead's release.
Tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (knee) and swing tackle Kendall Lamm are also considered questionable. Seals-Jones did not practice this week.
Vernon was playing some of his best football of the season before going down with the injury. Chris Smith and Chad Thomas are among those expected to take on bigger roles during Vernon's absence.
"He has been making a difference when he is out there," Wilks said of Vernon. "It is no different with the corners. It is no different than at the safety position. I have total confidence right now in Chad Thomas and Chris Smith and that those guys can step in there and get the job done if Olivier Vernon can't go."
Without Murray last week, the Browns used veteran T.J. Carrie in the slot whenever the opponent deployed a three-wide look.
Seals-Jones leads Cleveland's tight ends in all receiving categories with nine receptions, 155 yards and two touchdowns. Without him in the second half last week, Cleveland used Demetrius Harris on nearly every snap. The return of Pharaoh Brown, who was out against Denver with a concussion, would help offset Seals-Jones' absence in the event he's unable to play.
Check out photos of the Browns preparing for their game against the Bills Sunday by team photographer Matt Starkey
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) and Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Offensive guard Justin McCray (67) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide Receiver Sheldon Gibson (17) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Damion Ratley (18) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) and Kicker Austin Seibert (4) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) and Safety Damarious Randall (23) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens during practice on November 6, 2019.
Linebacker Malik Jefferson (40) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens during practice on November 6, 2019.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Safety Morgan Burnett (42) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Porter Gustin during practice on November 6, 2019.
General Manager John Dorsey during practice on November 6, 2019.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Guard Eric Kush (72) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Defensive end Chad Thomas (92) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Running Back D'Ernest Johnson (30) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Taywan Taylor (10) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks during practice on November 6, 2019.
Wide receiver Damion Ratley (18) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on November 6, 2019.
