The Browns will be without DE Olivier Vernon for a third straight week when they host the Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Vernon did not practice Friday and was officially ruled out for the game because of a knee injury he suffered late in the action Week 9 at Denver. DB Eric Murray will miss his fourth straight game with a knee injury that required surgery.
LB Joe Schobert (groin) is considered questionable.
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said TE David Njoku, who was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, will not be activated for Sunday's game.
Without Vernon, the Browns will be down to just one of their regular starters (DT Sheldon Richardson) on the defensive line. Myles Garrett is out for the season while serving an indefinite suspension and DT Larry Ogunjobi is serving a one-game suspension. As a result, Chad Thomas -- who has been starting in place of Vernon -- Chris Smith, Devaroe Lawrence and Eli Ankou are all expected to see elevated responsibilities.
"I go into this week expecting the best that they have," Kitchens said after Thursday's practice. "I think if we get that, that is a bonus for us. We need to play well. Everybody up there needs to play well. They would not be on this team if we did not have confidence in them to do that. I expect them to play well. They expect it out of themselves."
