Joe Haden Injury: Updates on Browns Star's Hamstring and Return

Cleveland Browns star cornerback Joe Haden will miss the team's second preseason game against Buffalo a week after missing the preseason opener with a hamstring injury.

Continue for updates.

---

Haden Among Inactives vs. Bills

Thursday, Aug. 20

Official team beat writer Andrew Gribble reported the news of Haden's continued absence. The lockdown corner has been a consistent bright spot in what's been a rather forgettable batch of Browns teams since the franchise chose him No. 7 overall in the 2010 NFL draft.     

There is no denying that Haden has emerged as one of the premier players at his position. His presence in the secondary is a big reason why Cleveland had one of the NFL's better defensive backfields last season.

This stat from Pro Football Focus that Browns reporter Kevin Jones passed along illustrates how strong Cleveland's secondary has been of late:

Coach Mike Pettine's multifaceted defense leans on strong coverage on the back end to work. Haden is an ideal fit for the bold, exotic schemes because of his combination of jamming skills and recovery speed. Thankfully this is just a preseason game, where Haden would have seen limited action anyway.

The announcement of Haden's injury indicated 2014 first-round pick Justin Gilbert was expected to fill in as the starter at cornerback but recently suffered a hip flexor injury and will also miss the contest, per Gribble.