The Sports Xchange

BEREA. Ohio — Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was on the inactive list for the Cleveland Browns’ first and third games and he did not catch a pass in the only game he did play.

Coach Mike Pettine ended speculation Bowe might be cut when he said the Browns are still counting on him.

“Dwayne will help us, but he’s just not there yet,” Pettine said. “The setback that he suffered during training camp, it’s just hard to make those reps up, especially now that we’re in a practice week.

“We’re hopeful that we’ll get him out there and he’ll contribute as we expect him to.”

Bowe missed the first two preseason games because of a hamstring injury.

–Inside linebacker Craig Robertson is out indefinitely because of an ankle injury sustained last week. The injury will force defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil to move Chris Kirksey into the starting lineup next to Karlos Dansby.

There won’t be much drop-off going to Kirksey, but the ripple effect could be felt when Tank Carder fills Kirksey’s spot as the third linebacker in the rotation.

Carder is a key member of the special teams units. During training camp, coach Mike Pettine said Carder would be used in blitz situations. He has no tackles from scrimmage this season.

–Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins is closing in on 2,000 receiving yards for his career. He needs 96 yards to reach the milestone. He has eight catches for 85 yards this season. Last year, he led the Browns with 63 catches for 824 yards.

–The Browns on Wednesday signed third-team quarterback Austin Davis to a two-year extension through 2017.

NOTES: LB Scott Solomon (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He has been out since the first series of the season opener. … S Tashaun Gipson (groin) did not practice. He was injured in the game against Oakland on Sunday. … RB Robert Turbin (ankle) and DB K’Waun Williams (concussion), who did not play against the Oakland Raiders last week, also did not practice.