Browns RB Jerome Harrison (knee) is expected to be able to dress out this weekend.

The Browns' running back situation, which was down to Jamal Lewis in the opener against Minnesota, is getting stronger.

Jerome Harrison has had no limitations in practices this week. That's the first time he has had back-to-back good days since suffering a knee injury early in training camp.

"He's made great strides over the week," coach Eric Mangini said. "He had a pretty good week last week, but I just thought it was better to give him another week. I like the way he looked [on Wednesday]. I'm encouraged by his continued progress."

Browns RB Jerome Harrison (knee) practiced fully for the second consecutive day Thursday.

Browns RB Jerome Harrison may not be 100% due to his knee, but he was able to practice today and should be able to do more this week.

Browns inactives: RB Jerome Harrison, third QB Brett Ratliff, DB Marquis Floyd, DB DeAngelo Smith, RB Cedric Peerman, OL Red Hadnot, TE Martin Rucker and LB Leon Williams

Browns RB Jerome Harrison (knee questionable) was limited in practice Friday. He is expected to be available Sunday, but probably wont get a ton of work.

Browns RB Jerome Harrison (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday. He is expected to be available for the opener, but it is unclear how/if he will fit into the distribution.

Like numerous perceived starters, Jamal Lewis was in uniform but did not play. With Jerome Harrison also missing action for the third straight game, rookie James Davis again demonstrated his quickness through the line and fast acceleration.
Davis was the catalyst to a 73-yard TD drive QB Brett Ratliff engineered on the Browns' second series. Davis had runs of 21, 9 and 5 yards on successive carries in the middle of the drive, setting up a 7-yard scoring pass to rookie WR Mohamed Massaquoi.

Davis was pulled after the TD and got pats on the shoulder pads for a job well done. He rushed for 37 yards on five attempts - a 7.4-yard average. Talk about consistency. Davis finished his first preseason as the team's leading ground gainer - 186 yards on 24 carries for a 7.8 average.

What once appeared highly improbable has suddenly become a possibility: Mangini could be contemplating playing the sixth-round draft choice ahead of Lewis.

Mangini tempered Davis' big preseason rushing average.

"I'm happy that he did it," Mangini said. "I think the level of competition increases dramatically as we go into next week. There's been a lot of backs over time that have had significant averages in preseason and didn't quite translate [in the regular season]. I've enjoyed seeing him take advantage of the opportunity. It's always better to finish with an 8-yard average than the alternative."

With Browns RB Jerome Harrison sidelined most of preseason with a left knee injury, rookie Davis is the odds-on favorite for reps behind Jamal Lewis. But he's not taking anything for granted.

"When I come in here for meetings after games, I see a lot of things I could've done better," he said. "To be honest, I don't know if I'm on the team or not. I still feel like I have to go out and prove myself. I think the rookies and first year player will play a lot [vs. the Bears] and it will come down to this game."

Likewise, Harrison, who returned to practice this week with a knee brace, isn't sure he's a lock.

"Come Saturday, if you're all still interviewing me, that question will be answered," he said.

Browns RB Jerome Harrison returned to action wearing a brace on his left knee and also participated in 11-on-11s. Harrison has been mostly idle the past three weeks but played sparingly in the Green Bay game Aug. 15.