Browns Running Back Peyton Hillis And Safety T.J. Ward Out Against Bengals on Sunday

by Ryan Harper on Nov 21, 2011 7:00 PM EST

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24 2010 in New Orleans Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Peyton Hillis

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis emerged into the football spotlight last season when he ran for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns. Then he was on the cover for Madden NFL '12. The "Madden Curse" lives on.

According to Dan Kadar of SB Nation Cleveland, Hillis, one of the Browns most dynamic offensive forces will miss Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He will be missing his sixth straight game as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury. In four games this season Hillis has rushed for 211 yards on 60 carries and has scored two touchdowns.

During the season opener the Bengals traveled to Cleveland. Hillis managed to rush for 57 yards on 17 carries. The Bengals were able to keep him out of the end zone for the entire game.

Also the Browns will be without second-year safety T.J. Ward as he recovers from a sprained foot suffered two weeks ago. For the season Ward has 39 tackles, one forced fumble, and one sack. Against the Bengals during week one he compiled six tackles and nothing else.

Bengals fans probably remember Ward for the helmet-to-helmet hit he put on receiver Jordan Shipley. Unfortunately Shipley had to leave that game due to a concussion and he won't be suiting up on Sunday since he's out for the season with a torn ACL.

For the Bengals this great news. I don't care what others say, Hillis is always a threat to have a big game, despite his lack of success this season. Without Hillis the Browns offense is even worse shape than it already is. Cleveland lacks a big play-maker receiver and are now without a dependable running back.

As for Ward, I'm glad he's out, especially after last season. His absence is good news for the Bengals. Somehow the Browns have managed to have the best pass defense in the league by allowing an average of 166.5 yards per game through the air. Without Ward the Browns defense will have a major void to fill. Did I mention I don't like Ward?

Hopefully the Bengals will be able to rebound from their back-to-back losses and get back on the right track. I believe this is the week that the Bengals get back into the win column.

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Comments

Now nothing changes

We betta go out there and prove them wrong, we need to blow this team out(period)

I expect a 38-10 blowout

by Touhue Cha on Nov 21, 2011 7:12 PM EST reply actions

+1111111

by Bfritts45 on Nov 21, 2011 8:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions

It is really a must win

If they somehow lose this one, it is really going to sting.

by txbengal29 on Nov 21, 2011 8:46 PM EST reply actions

Chris Ogbannaya

Has had an amazing last two weeks. They can’t go to sleep on him, granted his two good games were against St. Louis and Jacksonville.

On another note, what is going on with Peyton Hillis? This guy is a mess. “Madden Curse”, indeed.

CincyJungle Contributor
Follow me on Twitter: @CUIBengalsFan

by Anthony Cosenza on Nov 21, 2011 10:04 PM EST reply actions

Is Massaquoi playing?

He’s the one I would be worried about with the way our corners are playing right now and he’s had his best games against us in the past considering back in 2009 he had a breakout game against us and torched J-Joe of all people multiple times in that game which was downright shocking. The guy is a burner in the same mold as Torrey Smith and if he’s playing they’d better have Jones on him and not Clements.

by dstacify on Nov 21, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

last i saw he is.

He’s really not a burner. Not near as fast as smith or even Simpson. His big plays are from good body control and being able to position him self like a tight end.

by JCompton41 on Nov 22, 2011 12:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

hillis is a class A douche

I really doubt he’s even hurt at this point. For sure not to the point where he can’t play.

by JCompton41 on Nov 22, 2011 12:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

ward is a good saftey

Glad he’s out. Greg little is really starting to look legit, so we need to keep him from hurting us, other than that not really worried about anyone on their offense.

by JCompton41 on Nov 22, 2011 12:14 AM EST via mobile reply actions

whoa, the picture...

that elbow makes me want to vomit.

wtf?

by supergrover on Nov 22, 2011 8:08 AM EST reply actions

The only guy I respect a lot on their D is Joe Haden

This guy can ball. Every team in the AFCN has a big time safety but us. If we had one of those we would be improved big time. The more I think about it a big time play making Safety is our biggest need.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Nov 22, 2011 9:39 AM EST reply actions