Peyton Hillis isn't buying into the idea of the "Madden Curse." Hillis, who is featured on the cover of this year's edition of the Madden Football video game, has struggled with injuries this season and Cleveland is 3-3 in their first six games. "I'm not even worried about that," Hillis scoffed. Hillis is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry this season after accumulated 4.4 yards per attempt in 2010. "The Lord puts you through things for a reason, and it all works out for a purpose," he said. "No matter what happens, you've got to keep a positive mindset. From here on out, you just gotta take it and roll with the punches."

Peyton Hillis did not practice Thursday, one day after he returned from a strained left hamstring that kept him out of last Sunday's game. On Wednesday, Hillis practiced for the first time since getting hurt in the Browns' Oct. 16 game at Oakland. Browns coach Pat Shurmur described Hillis as being a "little sore" and the team will "back him down" as it prepares for Sunday's game at San Francisco. Shurmur says he's hopeful Hillis, whose messy contract situation and injuries have sabotaged his second season with Cleveland, will be able to play against the 49ers.

Mike Holmgren said Thursday that negotiations between the Browns and running back Peyton Hillis are "quiet now," but the team remains open to signing Hillis, who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards last season, to a long-term extension. Unable to reach agreement on a new deal, Holmgren said agent Kennard McGuire and the team have decided to let the season play out.

Browns starting linebacker Scott Fujita has been sent home for a second straight day with post-concussion symptoms. Fujita was injured in Sunday's game against the Raiders. The team sent him home on Wednesday and again Thursday before practice.

Browns running back Peyton Hillis has an injured left hamstring, and coach Pat Shurmur does not know how long he will be sidelined. Hillis was injured in the first quarter of Sunday's 24-17 loss at Oakland. On Monday, Hillis underwent an MRI, which revealed the injury. Because of a miscommunication, the runner's injury was not reported by the Browns until the second half Sunday, leading to speculation he was being benched by Shurmur.

A man accused along with his wife of abandoning their 9-year-old foster son at a Browns game denied leaving the boy behind, calling it a misunderstanding. Ernest Fugate said he and his wife had tickets for different sections of the stadium's end-zone area called the Dawg Pound during the game, and each thought the other one had the boy. "Neither one of us knew the child was lost," he said. Fugate and his wife, Anna, both of Circleville, have pleaded not guilty to child endangering.

The Browns will pay injured linebacker Marcus Benard the remainder of his salary for 2011 following his motorcycle accident, a person familiar with the decision said. The team was not obligated to continue paying Benard because he sustained a nonfootball-related injury. However, the Browns will pay Benard roughly $370,000 he's still due this season.

Browns defensive end Marcus Benard suffered a broken arm in a motorcycle accident Monday afternoon, but is stable condition. Benard will miss time with the broken arm and could go on season-ending injured reserve, but he appears to have dodged any major injuries. He's played in all four games this year with two tackles and a half-sack. Benard was undrafted out of Jackson State but earned a spot on Cleveland’s practice squad in 2009.

Browns running back Peyton Hillis is beginning to wonder and worry if he has a future with the organization. He has no regrets about sitting out Cleveland's game on Sept. 25 against Miami with strep throat, a decision that fueled speculation he missed the game to protest not getting a contract extension from the Browns. Hillis, who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards last season, is making $600,000 in the final year of his contract. "Whenever something's not set in stone, then I guess anything is possible, which means your career's not here," he said. "So, yeah, that definitely worries me."

Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs has come to the aide of Peyton Hillis, saying that Cleveland's locker room never questioned the running back's commitment. Hillis came under fire after missing Week 3's game against the Dolphins with strep throat, which some construed as a protest against his slow-moving contract negotiations. "It's been blown out of proportion," Cribbs said. "In the locker room, if it was a guy we that, you know, we really didn't think they deserved it, we'd all be like 'Man, what is you doing?' You'd hear mimicking ... snickering and talking behind their back, and we'd kind of pull that guy to the side and say, "Hey, man, just keep playing, and hopefully you'll get it one day.' "But it's Peyton Hillis you're talking about, the guy on the Madden cover, the guy that had all the accolades last year, and he comes out ready to play and ball out every game. So, you don't question a guy like that on the team."