BEREA - The Browns are getting closer to having tackles Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor on the field together for the first time this season.
Taylor practiced Wednesday and will likely be activated this week. A roster spot opened when Emmanuel Stephens was placed on injured-reserve with a neck injury.
Taylor tore a pectoral muscle lighting weights last May. He was removed from the physically-unable-to-perform list two weeks ago. The Browns have to make a decision on his roster status by Monday.
Rubin might actually be further from returning. He's missed two games with a calf injury. He didn't practice Wednesday, and with a bye on the schedule next week it's likely he'll be inactive for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns have been cautious in activating Taylor.
"He has to have a good week of practice," coach Pat Shurmur said of Taylor. "We have to see him be able to function."
GOING INDOORS: To the surprise of no one, Browns coach Pat Shurmur moved practice indoors on Wednesday. The persistent rain from Hurricane Sandy hit the west side of Cleveland harder than other areas near the city. Power was out in several areas as of yesterday afternoon.
It's doubtful the Browns will get in any work outdoors this week. The forecast calls for rain through Friday.
ROSTER MOVE: The Browns filled an opening on their practice squad by signing defensive lineman Hall Davis, who played at Louisiana-Lafayette. Davis was selected in the fifth round of the 2010 draft by the St. Louis Rams. He was traded to the Washington Redskins before the start of the 2010 season.
The Redskins waived him the day after the trade, and he eventually signed with the Tennessee Titans. He remained with the Titans for one year before being waived. The Raiders waived Davis in January of this year.
FOURTH CAPTAIN: Cornerback Buster Skrine has been selected the alternate fourth captain by co-captains D'Qwell Jackson, Phil Dawson and Joe Thomas. Skrine sealed a win over the Chargers last Sunday when he deflected a pass by Philip Rivers on fourth down.
NOT SURE: Ravens coach John Harbaugh has no idea if injured linebacker Ray Lewis will return next season. Lewis tore a triceps muscle and is out for the remainder of the season.
"I don't know," Harbaugh said. "I wouldn't even care to speculate. It wouldn't be fair to do that. I can't speak for him. Ray speaks for himself. I'll always be hopeful obviously, but we'll have to see how it goes."
Lewis is rehabbing his injury off site.
"It didn't surprise me that they beat them; it's how bad they beat them," Cribbs said. "And on their homecoming."
INJURY REPORT: Limited Wednesday were defensive linemen John Hughes (arm) and Brian Sanford (knee); linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (foot/toe); running back Trent Richardson (chest/rib), and defensive backs Ray Ventrone (hand/calf) and safety T.J. Ward (hand/shoulder).
Limited for the Ravens were receiver Jacoby Jones (foot), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (shoulder) and defensive back Jimmy Smith (stomach).
