BEREA, Ohio — Browns safety Juan Thornhill, coming off his best game of the season during last Thursday’s 24-19 victory over the Steelers, injured his calf in practice on Monday, and might not be able to face the Broncos.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wasn’t certain if it was an aggravation of the calf injury that landed Thornhill on injured reserve for five weeks after injuring it in Week 1 against the Cowboys.
That injury was on the opposite leg of the calf injury that plagued him all last season.
If Thornhill can’t play, second-year pro Ronnie Hickman will replace him. As it was, Hickman was already sharing reps with Thornhill, who showed a lack of effort on a touchdown in the loss to New Orleans.
But Thornhill vowed that would never happen again, and came back strong in the victory over the Steelers, finishing second only to Grant Delpit with seven tackles.
Stefanski said Thornhill is trending in the right direction heading into the Monday night game.
Cedric Tillman still in concussion protocol
Receiver Cedric Tillman, who took a hard blow to the head from linebacker Patrick Queen in the Steelers game, remained in the concussion protocol on Friday, and might not be ready to face the Broncos.
But if he returns by Saturday, he can play.
Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said that if Tillman can’t play, he’ll use a rotation of receivers to fulfill all of his many roles, and it “won’t be a one-man show.”
LT Jedrick Wills Jr. still idle
Wills was still idle with his knee injury on Friday, and his status for the Broncos is in doubt. As with Tillman, Wills will be eligible to play if he returns.
Stefanski declined to say if Wills would start if healthy.
If he can’t play, Germain Ifedi, who was limited Thursday with a biceps injury, will start in his place at left tackle.
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