Cleveland Browns starting strong safety T.J. Ward will not play Sunday against St. Louis and could miss several games with a foot injury.
Ward remains in a cast after hurting his right foot in the fourth quarter last week against Houston. Ward said after the loss to the Texans that he "felt a pop" in his foot. Ward has not been seen at the Browns' training facility all week, and the team has not disclosed any specifics of his injury or the results of an MRI exam taken Monday.
This will be the first start the hard-hitting Ward has missed in 25 games as a pro. A second-round pick in 2010, he has 38 tackles, two for losses, this season.
"Injuries never come at good times," defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said. "But it's not a great time for us or for him."
Usama Young will replace Ward. Young, who has been sharing time with safety Mike Adams, returned to practice Friday after missing two days with a hip injury. Young was signed as a free agent in the offseason
Browns kicker Phil Dawson returned after being sent home Thursday with a migraine. Dawson was able to do all the required kicking in practice and said afterward he felt fine. Dawson has made six kicks beyond 50 yards this season, two shy of tying the NFL record.
Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was missing again, still affected by symptoms from a concussion sustained in an Oct. 23 game. Massaquoi took part in team meetings, but it's doubtful he will be cleared to play the Rams. He has sustained two concussions in the past 13 months.
Meanwhile, the Plain Dealer reported that sidelined running back Peyton Hillis' injured hamstring was "an angry black-and-blue" and "still looks pretty bad" on Friday. Hillis, who will miss his fourth straight game, was on track to play last Sunday before reinjuring his hamstring during practice last Friday.
Rams starting quarterback Sam Bradford (high left ankle sprain) is listed as questionable but is expected to play against the Rams.
For a complete look at all injuries around the league, go to NFL.com's injury page.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
