“I haven’t practiced this week, so we’re still working through that,” Bitonio explained on Thursday. “I just finished a little run out there, and we’re making great progress, so we’ll see how it goes (Friday).” But from where I was on Sunday, Monday, and now, it’s been a positive, and we’ll take it one day at a time.”
Stefanski stated after practice on Friday that they will see how Bitonio is doing with his back ailment on Sunday.
“He’s going to work through that,” Stefanski added. “He’s got a plane ride (to Houston), but we’ll see how he is.”
The news on the defensive side of the ball was not as encouraging, as four defensive players were ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Aside from Bitonio and Pocic, the Browns will not have any defensive players return because four defensive players did not practice on Friday and were ruled out, including Anthony Walker (knee), safety Juan Thornhill (calf), linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (calf), and defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (torn pectoral). Last week’s game against the Bears was missed by all four.
When questioned if Walker needed surgery, Stefanski stated that he had’something’ wrong with his knee and that they will see how he does in the future.
Walker and Pocic were not listed as limited but practicing on the injury report on Wednesday. Bitonio, Thornhill, Okoronkwo, Kunaszyk, and Walker did not play on Thursday, with only Bitonio expected to return on Friday.
Thornhill and Okoronkwo have both missed the last two games.Walker will miss his second consecutive game.
According to Aaron Wilson, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion), defensive end Will Anderson (high ankle), and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) did not practice on Friday and will most likely not play against the Browns. If Stroud is unable to play, former Browns quarterback Case Keenum will take his place.
Stefanski said the Browns are still preparing for Stroud, if he is cleared to play before Sunday.
