Browns running back Peyton Hillis was active Sunday for the first time since Oct. 16 and was on the field for Cleveland's first possession of Sunday's game at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hills carried the ball on the second and third plays of the game -- his first touch resulted in a first down. Hillis had six total yards on the Browns' game-opening touchdown drive.
Running back Chris Ogbonnaya started the game at running back for the Browns, but Hillis was featured extensively on the drive.
NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported that running back Montario Hardesty, who has missed the past three games with a calf injury, tightened during warmups. The Brownsannounced via Twitter that Hardesty would play as needed Sunday.
Hillis originally was ruled out because of a severely strained left hamstring that forced him to miss six games, but his status was upgraded to a game-time decision when he was able to practice.
Both Hillis and Hardesty were listed as questionable Friday.
Usama Young will start at safety for T.J. Ward (foot), the Browns announced, and right tackle Tony Pashos (ankle) will play despite his injury.
Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap was inactive for the second time in three games with a hamstring injury. Adam Jones started at right cornerback for the second game in a row. He's filling in for Leon Hall, who is out for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Visit www.nfl.com/inactives to see inactive players in every Sunday game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
