BEREA: Cleveland could face Pittsburgh's blitz-happy defense Sunday without both starting guards.

Left guard Eric Steinbach missed practice Thursday with a back strain. Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Steinbach was hurt about midway through Wednesday's session. The free agent from Cincinnati has been a huge upgrade playing alongside rookie left tackle Joe Thomas.

''He's day to day,'' Crennel said of Steinbach. ''Those backs, they're fickle. I'm going to rest him today and we'll see tomorrow.''

The chances of right guard Seth McKinney seeing action look slim after he suffered a shoulder injury last Sunday against Seattle. McKinney sat out for the second consecutive day and Crennel refused to give details about whether he has a separation in the shoulder.

Ryan Tucker, who has been sharing time at right tackle with Kevin Shaffer, has moved to right guard. Lennie Friedman, who subbed for McKinney against the Seahawks, worked at left guard. The backups will be Isaac Sowells, a fourth-round pick in 2006 who has seen action in one game in two years, and Nat Dorsey, who took the blame when the Raiders blocked Phil Dawson's game-winning field-goal attempt in Oakland on Sept. 23.

When asked about Steinbach's injury Thursday, Tucker said, ''As far as I know, he's playing.''

Thomas didn't sound worried, even if both Tucker and Friedman step into the lineup.

''Lennie and I got a lot of reps during the preseason when Eric was out with his knee (surgery),'' Thomas said. ''Whoever goes there, I'm going to be comfortable playing next to him.

''I don't think it will affect anything. We've been switching all season and everybody's been getting a lot of reps.''

Tucker hasn't started at guard since 1998, but is glad he's versatile.

''I've played everything. I've played tight end,'' Tucker said. ''You always hear from the first time you come in the league, 'The more you can do.' You want to play center, guard and tackle. Fortunately for me, I had coaches who made me do that. It's helped me along.''

Brownies

Also missing practice for Cleveland were linebackers D'Qwell Jackson (ankle) and Antwan Peek (swollen knee). Cornerback Leigh Bodden (back) participated fully. For Pittsburgh, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (bruised hip) was not listed on Thursday's injury report after missing Wednesday. Receiver Santonio Holmes (hamstring) sat out. . . . Browns running back Jamal Lewis plans to talk with Minnesota rookie Adrian Peterson, who broke Lewis' single-game record with 296 yards Sunday against San Diego. Reminiscing about his 295 on Sept. 14, 2003, against the Browns, Lewis said, ''I could have had 350 that day. It was just a good day when you're feeling it and you're in a zone.''