Practice notes: RB Peyton Hillis carries ball during team drills

The Browns (4-6) practiced today in preparation for their road game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-4). Reporters were allowed to watch about 30 minutes of practice. Here's what you need to know about the open session:

• Running back Peyton Hillis practiced for the first time since Nov. 4, when he aggravated his injured left hamstring that he originally hurt Oct. 16 against the Oakland Raiders. He carried the ball during team drills. Coach Pat Shurmur has ruled Hillis out for Sunday against the Bengals, so Hillis is expected to miss his sixth consecutive game and his seventh of the season. Running back Montario Hardesty (calf) continued to practice and appears to be on pace to play for the first time since Oct. 30. Shurmur said Hardesty would start against the Bengals if he's able to play, and Chris Ogbonnaya would be the backup running back.


• Fullback Owen Marecic (concussion), strong safety T.J. Ward (foot) and linebacker Quinton Spears (hamstring) did not practice. Defensive end Jayme Mitchell (ankle) watched practice from the field, but he did not participate. Mitchell did not wear a helmet.


• Offensive lineman Tony Pashos also missed practice. His first child is due to be born soon, but a team spokesman did not immediately know if that was the reason for Pashos' absence.


• Safety Usama Young wore a helmet, but he did not take any reps during the open portion of practice. Instead, rookie Eric Hagg did.


• With Marecic sidelined, tight end Alex Smith continued to take reps as a fullback.