BEREA: The development of nose tackle Danny Shelton has provided the winless Browns with a source of optimism during a dreary season.
“We think he can be a Pro Bowl, dominant player,” defensive coordinator Ray Horton said Friday as the Browns (0-6) prepared to visit the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) on Sunday. “I don’t want to put an undue burden on him, but that’s what we feel. We’re pushing him to be that.”
Shelton, the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, has rebounded from a disappointing rookie season in a major way.
ProFootballFocus.com ranks Shelton eighth among 114 interior defensive linemen. He’s ranked third in run defense.
“He’s shown flashes of being — wow — dominant in there,” Horton said. “I think the changes we’ve asked him to make help that.”
Horton demanded Shelton lose weight, so he dropped about 30 pounds in the offseason.
“Going into the season one of my goals was to play every game like a Pro Bowler,” Shelton, 23, said. “So I’ll continue to strive to be a Pro Bowler. One of the things I wrote early in training camp was to play every game, practice every practice like a first-rounder.”
Shelton ranks fourth on the team with 27 tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss. He tied for 10th on the team last season with 36 tackles.
“Danny’s playing at a Pro Bowl level. There’s no doubt,” defensive end Xavier Cooper said. “In my eyes, he’s playing physical, he’s being disruptive, and I think he’s motivating the whole room, making me want to go out there and play at that level. I think Danny’s coming into his own right now.”
Inside linebacker Demario Davis said, “He has all the intangibles. Very strong, very smart, very instinctive, has the potential to be the best nose tackle in football, and he’s been playing like it.”
Now Shelton, 6-foot-2 and 335 pounds, must become more consistent to take the next step.
“We’re going to drive him for more,” Horton said. “Is he playing better or is he playing well? Yes. Can he play better? I think the answer is, yes, he can play better, and that’s what we’re pushing him to do is be more dominant, more consistent.”
According to ProFootballFocus.com, Shelton had the best performance of his career in Sunday’s 28-26 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He had five tackles, including one for loss and the first sack of his NFL career. He’s set a goal for five sacks this season.
“He has played extremely well the last three weeks and is getting better every day,” coach Hue Jackson said. “He understands the demand of his position and what is expected and starting to meet those demands.”
Injury updates
The Browns listed wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) as questionable and cornerback Joe Haden (groin) as doubtful for Sunday.
Jackson said Pryor and Haden would need to be able to run well for them to face the Bengals. They tried to run Friday, and Jackson said Pryor was able to do it better than Haden, who has already missed two games this season.
Asked how he feels about Pryor’s chances to play Sunday, Jackson said, “We’ll see where we are on Sunday.”
With Haden doubtful to play, undrafted rookie Tracy Howard starting at free safety in place of Jordan Poyer, who’s on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney, and backup cornerback Marcus Burley (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday as well, the Browns promoted undrafted rookie cornerback Darius Hillary from the practice squad to the active roster. They also released defensive lineman Gabe Wright.
The Browns ruled out quarterback Josh McCown (fractured left collarbone), wide receiver Corey Coleman (broken right hand) and tight end Seth DeValve (left knee).
In addition to Pryor, they listed Cooper (shoulder) and tight end Randall Telfer (right high-ankle sprain) as questionable.
Telfer said he feels “really good” after missing the past two games. He might be the team’s best run-blocking tight end.
“We struggled a little bit the past couple games in the run game,” he said, “but we’re looking to pick it up this week.”
Cooper sat out Sunday against the Titans but said he’ll play Sunday.
“Feeling good, ready to go,” Cooper said. “I think they’re going to obviously manage my playing time and ease me back into it, but I’m going to be ready to go.”
The Bengals listed one player as questionable — Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert (back/ankle). Eifert has yet to play this season but told the Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday, “I’m ready.”
Jackson said Eifert “can catch the ball, make plays, is a matchup issue.”
New starter
Howard vowed not be overwhelmed by nerves Sunday during his first NFL start.
“I don’t make it too big. I just go out there and play football,” Howard said. “There is really no pressure. There is really nothing to it. It is just football at the end of the day.”
Horton said Howard “held his own” while playing free safety against the Titans after Poyer was knocked out of the game in the second quarter.
“I’m excited that we have the kid,” Horton said. “I think the kid has the ability to play in this league.”
Howard played cornerback at the University of Miami. He’s practiced at cornerback and safety with Browns. Horton is the only NFL coach who talked to him about playing free safety coming out of college.
“He’s proven to be a valuable part of our team,” Horton said.
Fine time
Titans running back Antonio Andrews wasn’t fined for the blindside hit he delivered to Poyer as the Browns safety ran down the field to cover a punt.
Titans safety Daimion Stafford was fined $18,231 by the NFL for a horse-collar tackle on Pryor.
Both plays drew flags.
Remembering a friend
Horton coached late linebacker Quentin Groves on three different NFL teams, including the Browns in 2013, so the defensive coordinator said it was “shocking and sad” to learn Groves died Oct. 15 at the age of 32.
“Quentin Groves is probably one of the most upbeat individuals you’ve ever met in your life, always a smile,” Horton said. “When you asked him how he was doing, he would always, always answer, ‘I’m blessed,’ and that’s how he lived. Boy, was he a joy to be around.”
Fantasy football
Horton has imagined which position Cavaliers superstar LeBron James would have played if he had an NFL career.
“LeBron would probably be a tight end,” Horton said unsolicited. “He’d be a dominant tight end in the league.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.