Injured Pro Bowl defensive backs Joe Haden and Tashaun Gipson will be on the practice field today as the Browns begin their on-field preparations for the Arizona Cardinals.
Haden has been sidelined since the fourth quarter of Cleveland's Week 5 game at Baltimore with a concussion. He was recently cleared from the league's concussion protocol, Pettine said.
Gipson has been out since the third quarter of Cleveland's Week 4 loss at San Diego with an ankle injury. His return comes at an optimal time, as his backup, Jordan Poyer, is expected to miss some time with a shoulder injury.
Linebacker Craig Robertson (ankle), who returned to practice last week but was inactive Sunday against the Rams, will continue to practice in hopes of returning from an injury that has sidelined him since Week 3.
"A chance to have all three back would be a big boost for us defensively," Pettine said at his Wednesday press conference.
Pettine said the Browns would be prudent with the repetitions each player receives because of the amount of time they've missed. Pettine said he was particularly optimistic about Haden now that he's out of the concussion protocol, but a determination of the players' respective statuses for Sunday won't be made until he sees how they respond to practice.
"We just have to be smart, be prudent from now until game day in getting them the right amount of work," Pettine said.
