The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns wage war on Sunday. On Wednesday, both AFC North teams received news to be thankful for on the practice field.
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For the Steelers, rookie offensive guard David DeCastro practiced after coming off the team's injured reserve/designated to return list. For the Browns, cornerback Joe Haden was back at work Wednesday after missing Sunday's loss against the Dallas Cowboys with an oblique injury.
DeCastro -- the 24th pick in the draft -- tore his MCL in the preseason and hasn't played since. The Steelers now have two weeks to decide if they want to active him. Their line -- improved of late -- could use the help. DeCastro was drafted to become an immediate starter on the inside, where he could wrestle away snaps from Ramon Foster. If Pittsburgh doesn't activate DeCastro in time, he'll bounce back to IR.
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Haden's return is ill news for a Steelers offense that hopes to move the ball with 37-year-old Charlie Batch in for injured quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich. Plaxico Burress also makes his first start of the year after signing a contract with the Steelers on Tuesday.
These are weird days in Pittsburgh. With the playoffs on the line -- and the Baltimore Ravens on tap in Week 13 -- taking care of business in Cleveland is critical. That becomes a taller order with Haden back in the mix.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
