The Browns are interested in locking in linebacker D'Qwell Jackson to a new long-term contract before he becomes a free agent this offseason, according to a league source. Browns officials have yet to engage Jackson in negotiations. "I'm sure they're going to wait to see how they finish the season," the source told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Jackson has become the centerpiece of the team's defense, boasting a team-high 91 tackles.

Browns running back Peyton Hillis has been upgraded to a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Bengals. Hillis participated in team drills on Friday. "It's looking very positive for this game," he said. "We're all shooting for this Sunday. ... I'm working my best to get out there, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I'm eager and excited about it."

Browns running back Peyton Hillis, who has missed six straight games with a hamstring injury, did well enough in an individual workout on Thursday that coach Pat Shurmur said he might be able to participate on a limited basis in Friday's practice. He has already been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals. Hillis, who ran for nearly 1,200 yards last season, hasn't played since being injured Oct. 16 at Oakland.

Browns running back Peyton Hillis will miss his fifth straight game with a hamstring injury. Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur said Monday that Hillis' injury is improving but he will be sidelined again this week when the Browns (3-6) host Jacksonville. Shurmur believes Hillis will be able to come back at some point this season, and there are no current plans to place him on injured reserve.

The Browns are getting tired of the drama surrounding Peyton Hillis and they are prepared to let him walk in free agency after the 2011 season, according to sources. At this point it would take a dramatic turnaround in behavior and production for Cleveland to re-sign him when he hits the open market in March. "It's one thing after another, and what's been out there isn't even the half of it," one source said. Hillis is expected to miss at least a couple of more games after re-injuring his hamstring in practice Friday afternoon.

Peyton Hillis re-injured his hamstring during practice on Friday. Hillis, who has missed Cleveland's past two games with the injury, will likely sit out Sunday's game at Houston. He had only returned to practice Thursday for the first time since last week. The Browns (3-4) had hoped he would be back to face the Texans and their No. 3 ranked defense. But it appears Hillis, who has rushed for only 211 yards amid weeks of distractions this season, will have to sit out another game.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak hasn't ruled out Andre Johnson for Sunday's game against the Browns after the wide receiver missed his second straight day of practice Thursday. Kubiak said Johnson, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, was feeling better but the Texans didn't feel he was ready to practice.

Browns running back Peyton Hillis made it through his first practice in a week without any trouble and intends to play Sunday against the Texans. Hillis has missed the past two games with a strained left hamstring he injured against Oakland on Oct. 16. On Thursday, Hillis practiced for the first time since Oct. 26 and was able to run and cut without any difficulty. "I'm on pace to be healthy and play Sunday," he said afterward. "That's what I'm looking forward to and that's what I'm hoping to do."

The Browns have waived wide receiver Brian Robiskie. A former second-round draft pick, Robiskie was waived Tuesday to make room for free agent running back Thomas Clayton, who played in two games for them last season and has been brought back because of injuries to Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. The 24-year-old's role was reduced this season and he has steadily slipped down first-year coach Pat Shurmur's depth chart.

Montario Hardesty tore a calf muscle in Sunday's loss at San Francisco, leaving the Browns with just one healthy running back on its current roster. Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur said Hardesty will be out an indefinite period. "It will be games," said Shurmur, adding Hardesty is wearing a protective boot. "It will take him a little time to heal up from this injury. I can't tell you how many (games)." Hardesty, who missed his rookie season following knee surgery and was starting because Peyton Hillis is injured, was injured on Cleveland's second series. The Browns (3-4) will bring in running backs for tryouts Tuesday at the team's training facility.