Rookie safety Jabrill Peppers didn't practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury, but Browns coach Hue Jackson is hopeful to have him back in time for Sunday's game.
"We will see as we go through the week," Jackson said after practice. "Hopefully, we will get him back. Right now, he has to do some things in order to be out there this weekend."
The Browns were thin at safety at Wednesday's practice with Derron Smith (knee) also sitting out the session. Cleveland added Justin Currie, who was with the team throughout the preseason, to the 53-man roster Tuesday amid a handful of transactions in the wake of multiple, serious injuries.
Wednesday's practice was the first without Emmanuel Ogbah (foot) and Jamie Meder (ankle), who were placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
-- Myles Garrett is set to match up with his former college teammate Sunday when he lines up across from Bengals left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi.
Garrett and Ogbuehi overlapped one season at Texas A&M, Garrett's breakout freshman campaign in 2014. Ogbuehi, a former first-round pick, is in his first full season as a starting left tackle with Cincinnati.
"It is going to be a battle," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "Ced continues to develop and grow. That is big for us. We just have to keep going. He is going to have his hands full this weekend."
Garrett wasn't available when the Browns faced Cincinnati earlier this season. Lewis said the rookie pass rusher brings an entirely different dynamic to Cleveland's defense.
"They are playing so hard and doing a great job," Lewis said. "When we played them up there, Danny Shelton didn't play and Myles Garrett didn't play. Now, you have two tremendous players at their spots. Myles Garrett, his flexibility and ability just jumps off the film."
-- The Browns defense has been suffocating at times this season but is struggling to generate turnovers. Cleveland is in the top 10 in total defense but sits in a tie for 25th in turnovers with 11.
Jackson said forcing turnovers has been emphasized in practice but, from an overall standpoint, remains impressed with the defense's progress.
"To a man, those guys are laying it on the line week in and week out, and this football team is laying it on the line," Jackson said. "We just have to continue to find ways to make more plays, as you just mentioned, whether it is interceptions or just get the other team's offense to do things – the self-inflicted wounds, penalties or whatever that is that can help our team capture a victory. I have asked a lot of them and (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) has asked a lot of them, but I think those guys are responding and trying."
