This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but running back Peyton Hillis sat out Wednesday's practice with sore ribs after taking a shot in the back from safety Ed Reed at the beginning of last week's game. Hillis is still expected to start in this week's finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I wonder if the Browns will sign a third running back to the roster in the next couple of days.

In other injury-related news, offensive guard Floyd Womack also missed practice with a knee injury.

Regarding the Pro Bowl, many of you have already heard that the only player representing the Browns this season is left tackle Joe Thomas, who is going for the fourth consecutive season. If I had to pick a player who played like a Pro Bowler on the Browns but didn't make it, that would be punter Reggie Hodges.

Several Browns players were named as alternates, but none of them were "first alternates." That means that unless two or more players can't play at a position, no other Brown will be involved in the festivities.

Second Alternates: RB Peyton Hillis, OG Eric Steinbach, C Alex Mack.
Third Alternates: KR Joshua Cribbs, ST Ray Ventrone, FB Lawrence Vickers.
Fourth Alternates: CB Joe Haden.

According to head coach Eric Mangini, he would like to announce the team's plans at starting quarterback when he meets with the media on Thursday. The reason for the delay is that he wants to evaluate how Colt McCoy does in Wednesday's practice. McCoy is expected to see some first team reps Wednesday, so unless something seriously goes wrong during practice, it sounds like the rookie is in line to reclaim the starting role at the Browns close out the season with three division games.

Mangini also mentioned that regardless of who starts at quarterback, Seneca Wallace would probably be the No. 2 quarterback due to the special offensive packages they have available for him. That doesn't mean they will use him more in my opinion, but rather that it's better to have the option of using him. If he was the inactive third quarterback, Cleveland loses that luxury.

Players missing Wednesday's practice include DL Shaun Rogers, LB Scott Fujita, LB David Bowens, and TE Evan Moore. The Browns made a transaction yesterday, promoting CB Coye Francies to the 53-man roster. To make room for Francies, the team waived CB Eric King.

In Wednesday morning's press conference, head coach Eric Mangini provided some updates on the injury front as the Cleveland Browns prepare for this week's game against the Miami Dolphins. Here is a brief recap:

• Colt McCoy will not practice on Wednesday. As far as later in the week goes, Mangini said that him practicing is still up in the air. Regarding McCoy's health, Mangini noted, "From where we were last week to where we are now, we've made a pretty big jump."
   
• Jake Delhomme will receive more first team reps than Seneca Wallace on Wednesday. That means Delhomme is favored to make his second straight start this Sunday.
   
• Joshua Cribbs is not practicing on Wednesday, but Mangini expects him to be more involved this week. He said he thinks they will have Cribbs available both as a kick returner and as a wide receiver.
   
• LB Scott Fujita, LB Eric Barton, FB Lawrence Vickers, CB Eric Wright, and S T.J. Ward will not practice Wednesday.
  

The Browns have also made some transactions recently, which a few of you have discussed in the Fanshots section already. If you missed them, the transactions are listed after the jump...

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According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, the Cleveland Browns "don't expect to have" Joshua Cribbs available to play this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

I'm having a hard time fully accepting that Cribbs will miss this week's game against Jacksonville, but maybe that's just me trying to be optimistic. Cribbs did not practice Wednesday morning, but Eric Mangini again stated that he hoped to have Cribbs practicing by the end of the week. If Cribbs can't play this Sunday, the team would likely turn to the newly signed Clifton Smith.

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The original return date to practice for veterans Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace was supposed to be today (Wednesday), but in speaking to the press, head coach Eric Mangini said that neither of them will participate in practice.

Mangini noted that rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will take all of the reps at quarterback today, but he did not officially name him the starter against the New England Patriots. Other players who will miss practice include Jason Trusnik (birth of son) and John St. Clair (ankle). Lastly, it's worth noting that both Mike Holmgren and Mangini have basically stated that the team won't try to claim WR Randy Moss today. With that said, I wonder if a chance will be taken on LB Shawne Merriman.