by Sports Xchange

For an offense struggling as mightily as the Browns' offense is, a reliable punter is a necessity. Hodges punted nine times against the Ravens, and though he doesn't punt as far as Zastudil, the results were enough to get him a second opportunity. He averaged 38.6 yards a punt with a net average of 38.0.

Zastudil was an expert at feathering the ball inside the 20. He punted 49 times and put 20 inside the 20.

It is worth noting Zastudil was the only punter and Phil Dawson the only kicker in training camp. Zastudil is out now and Dawson missed five weeks with a calf injury.

PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES

--WR Jake Allen was claimed off waivers from Green Bay on Wednesday.

--LB Arnold Harrison was claimed off waivers from the Steelers on Wednesday.

--WR Josh Cribbs practiced on a limited basis Thursday. He did not practice Wednesday because of a neck injury.

--RT John St. Clair practiced on a limited basis. He missed Wednesday with a shoulder injury.

--WR Jake Allen, acquired off waivers from the Packers Wednesday, practiced Thursday. Whether he is active Sunday could depend on how Chansi Stuckey is. Stuckey missed the game against Baltimore with a calf injury. He was limited Thursday with the injury.

--FB Lawrence Vickers missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury, but he practiced Thursday on a limited basis.

--NT Shaun Rogers was limited in practice with a sore back.

GAME PLAN: Using the no-huddle offense as the Browns did against the Ravens could work better against the Lions than it did against Baltimore. The Lions have given up 20 touchdown passes and their pass defense is last in the league, allowing 271.1 yards a game.

The Browns' no-huddle is not a hurry-up offense. It is designed to keep the defense on its heels. On Monday the Browns twice caught the Ravens with too many men on the field.

"I think there's always some effectiveness to a no huddle or whatever else you're doing offensively," Brady Quinn said. "I think there's always another side to it and how you can affect a defense."

The Browns did not cross the Ravens 45.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Browns CB Eric Wright vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson. The Browns' cornerbacks have been burned often this season. They have not tackled well. Wright has to keep Johnson from getting behind him, because at 6-foot-5 Johnson has a definite advantage over the 5-10 Wright.

Browns RG Rex Hadnot vs. Lions DT Grady Jackson. The Browns have had spotty success running the ball, but it has been better since Hadnot replaced Floyd Womack. Jackson has 16 tackles and no sacks. He does a good job of clearing blockers for middle linebacker Larry Foote.

INJURY IMPACT: The Browns will have to jockey the offensive line if St. Clair cannot play because of a shoulder injury. No one on the depth chart is listed behind St. Clair or starting left tackle Joe Thomas.