The Cleveland Browns have lost CB Joe Haden for four games for violating the NFL drug policy, as he tested positive for the stimulant Adderall, which is among the league's banned substances, according to ESPNCleveland.
The team has yet to comment on the report.
Without Haden, the Browns will need to improve the secondary. The good news, according to coach Pat Shurmur, is that fellow starting CB Sheldon Brown (stinger) should be available this week. The bad news is that the aging Brown has struggled against speedy receivers and several are on the schedule in the next few games, including Cincinnati's A.J. Green on Sunday.
The loss of Haden will test a painfully inexperienced group of cornerbacks. Dimitri Patterson has some experience, but has been used mostly to defend the slot. The Browns likely will replace Haden with second-year pro Buster Skrine, whom Shurmur has praised for his aggressiveness in coverage.
Skrine received mixed reviews in the loss to Philadelphia in the season opener. He struggled against Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin so much that Haden replaced him.
Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter @CBSBrowns throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.
