The Browns are expecting running back Peyton Hillis to be back from his pulled hamstring this week and be ready for Sunday's game in Houston, but his return is not certain. Hillis practiced last Wednesday, felt sore and sat out the next two days, and missed the San Francisco game. He stood at midfield in a warm-up suit before the game, launching passes toward the goalpost with quarterback Thad Lewis.
Just in case, the Browns will work out running backs in Berea on Tuesday. Among them will be Thomas Clayton, who was on the Browns' practice squad last season and was active for two games. He carried the ball once for zero yards. Clayton was a 2007 sixth-round pick of the 49ers out of Kansas State.