The Cleveland Browns have named the following players inactive for today's game against the Cincinnati Bengals: WR Mohamed Massaquoi, WR Travis Benjamin, OL Ryan Miller, DT Ahtyba Rubin, LB Scott Fujita, and S Tashaun Gipson, and CB Dimitri Patterson.
TE Alex Smith is active for the first time since Week 2, when he suffered a concussion against the Bengals. LB D'Qwell Jackson is active and will start after suffering a concussion against the Giants last week. CB Joe Haden will return from his four-game suspension and is expected to shadow WR A.J. Green most of the game. RB Brandon Jackson is also active, probably due to how many players were already ruled out this week.
With Fujita out, reports indicate that rookie LB James-Michael Johnson will make his first career start at outside linebacker. The fourth-round pick was expected to contend for the starting role at the start of the season until he suffered a rib/oblique injury. This will be the first action that Johnson sees on defense this season. LB L.J. Fort is expected to shift back into his role as the backup middle linebacker, with LB Craig Robertson pairing up with Jackson in nickel back sets. DT John Hughes is expected to start in place of Rubin.