The Sports Xchange

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns are planning to play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday without Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden.

Haden sustained a concussion playing against the Ravens and is in the concussion protocol system. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Second-year cornerback Pierre Desir will replace Haden as the starter.

The injury is easier to absorb than it was two weeks ago in San Diego because it wasn’t until 90 minutes before kickoff that Haden realized he could not play because of the broken finger that had been bothering him all week.

Now at least, Desir will be with the first team defense all week.

It also helps that nickel back K’Waun Williams will play for a second straight week. Williams missed the San Diego game because of a concussion.

–Broncos Director of Pro Personnel Tom Heckert was the Browns general manager from 2010 through 2012. Only four players remain from his three drafts — cornerback Joe Haden (2010) plus right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, defensive lineman John Hughes and wide receiver Travis Benjamin in 2012.

–The Browns are third in the NFL with 1,557 passing yards. It is the most passing yards the Browns have had through the first five weeks of a season in franchise history.

“We said it from the spring, we’re capable of doing some good things on offense,” quarterback Josh McCown said. “We felt really good in the spring with this group and we continue to feel that way.”

–The Browns’ run defense was happy to get outside linebacker Scott Solomon back for the Ravens game after missing the previous three games and most of the opener because of an ankle injury. However, Solomon sustained an ankle injury in the first half. He finished the game after being assured by trainers he would do no further damage, although he was not 100 percent. Solomon was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

“Obviously, very unfortunate for Scott having just gotten back from his injury from Week One,” coach Mike Pettine said.

NOTES: Linebacker Craig Robertson (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He missed the last two games because of the injury. … Free safety Tashaun Gipson (ankle) did not practice. Coach Mike Pettine said it is too early in the week to know whether Gipson can play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. He missed the game last week against the Ravens. … Defensive back Don Jones was claimed on waivers from the New Orleans Saints. He will fill linebacker Scott Solomon’s roster spot. Jones was a 2013 seventh-round pick by the Dolphins. He has played in 34 games and has 23 special teams tackles.