Glenn Winston's long wait as a member of the Cleveland Browns goes back more than a year or so.

The young running back's patience promises to pay off Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Winston was elevated to the active roster Tuesday and essentially took the spot of veteran Robert Turbin, who was waived earlier in the day. He's one of three running backs on a team that has shown a knack to involve all of its ball-carriers in the offense as both runners and pass-catchers.

"I'm feeling good," Winston said after Wednesday's practice. "I'm motivated and glad to be back with my teammates and ready to ball."

In five games with the Browns during his rookie season, Winston didn't pick up a single touch while primarily working on special teams. When training camp opened in late July, Winston, after showing promise at OTAs, was relegated to the stationary bicycles from start to finish because of a knee injury. Placed on the injured reserve - non-football injury list, Winston was unable to practice until mid-October and unable to be added to the active roster until last week.

His knee injury was the result, he said, of too much training during the players' downtime between OTAs and training camp.

Winston said he's been feeling good for a while but was unable to practice because of his status on the injured reserve - non-football injury list. His routine after the past couple of months has been simple: train, stay up to date on the playbook and maintain a positive attitude.

"I just take every day so seriously," Winston said. "Every time I get the ball or if it's a pass block or if it's a route or anything, I take myself seriously. I want to be the best. I don't want to be just a backup or just another name. I want to be the best and do what I can do to help the team."

That's exactly what Browns coaches want to see.

The decision to waive Turbin was a difficult one because he's proven to be a capable, NFL running back over the course of four seasons. The desire to see what Winston has to offer and inability to keep four running backs on the active roster, though, ultimately drove it.

"We're very anxious to see where he is. He's done a good job when he's been out there," Browns coach Mike Pettine said. "With Glenn elevated to the 53 in that role of the third back, I think it's time to get a peek and see what's there. He's shown a lot on the practice field, a lot, but we have to see if he can carry over to the game."