Peyton Hillis Week 4: Recovering Hillis Is a Liability

Peyton Hillis may no longer be sick, but he's certainly feeling the after effects of the strep throat and fever that forced him to lose 10-12 pounds.

The Browns were able to come away with a victory last week without their star running back in the backfield, but will need to be at their best in order to knock off the Titans this week.

Hillis is a powerful back and it's safe to say the weight loss is going to adversely affect his game. He may be well enough to play and will undoubtedly be incorporated into the offense immediately, but he can't be expected to be a factor this week.

He's recovering and it's going to take some time before he's feeling back at 100 percent. We've seen Hillis completely take over games in the past for the Browns, but Hillis can't be expected to perform in such a manner given his physical state.

They Titans are only allowing 89 yards a game on the ground and Hillis is going to have a tough time breaking through the swarming defense Tennessee puts forth.

Chris Johnson is struggling right now and Kenny Britt is out, so this could easily turn into a defensive struggle. If Hillis were at full strength, the Browns could certainly count on him to help them move the chains.

Such will not be the case. He's a liability this week and it's going to take at least another week for him to become a force once again. Like a nagging hamstring or a broken bone, Hillis can't be expected to perform at an elite level already.

He's one week removed from a sickness so awful it knocked him out of play. Hillis is as tough as they come, but Superman is going to need some time to heal up and recover before he can get back to punishing defenses once again.

Meanwhile, Browns fans are kicking themselves for launching a campaign that landed Hillis on the cover of Madden.