Just when they are getting one starter back on defense, the Steelers likely will be without another Sunday. Lee Flowers, the team's strong safety, probably will not play against the Browns because his injured groin muscle hasn't responded well enough. Flowers, who is listed as questionable on the official injury report, hasn't practiced all week, and Coach Bill Cowher said he won't play Sunday if he doesn't practice today.
He will be replaced by veteran Brent Alexander, who will move over from free safety. Scott Shields, who started all five preseason games at free safety before he was demoted, will move into his old position against the Browns. "The main difference on the strongside is you end up in more run-support defenses," said Alexander, who played both positions in addition to cornerback, with the Carolina Panthers. "You're a lot more susceptible to play-action [passes] because you're tighter to the line of scrimmage."
The Steelers are expecting Chris Sullivan to start at left defensive end, the position he held before he had back surgery Aug. 19. Sullivan, acquired in free agency from the New England Patriots, has been practicing since last week and said he has no discomfort in his back or lower left leg. "I'm just pretty tired from the last few days [of practice]. Now it's just my wind, getting that back. That's getting better, too."
Wide receiver Troy Edwards sat out most of practice yesterday because he injured his hamstring on the final play of practice Wednesday. He was added to the injury report and was listed as questionable. However, Edwards said he expects to practice today and play against the Browns. The team's other starting receiver, No. 1 pick Plaxico Burress, returned to practice after missing the previous day with back spasms.
The only other concern is inside linebacker Levon Kirkland, who was held out of most drills yesterday but is expected to play against the Browns. Even if he does play, Kirkland will probably only be used in run situations because his mobility is limited.
Backup running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala was not surprised he recovered so quickly from the hamstring injury he sustained against the Baltimore Ravens. Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who did not practice during the open week, has not missed a day this week and looks as if he's having no problems running the ball. He was upgraded yesterday from questionable to probable on the injury report. "I told the coaches I wasn't hurt that bad," he said. "I stayed here over the weekend and got treatment. I feel fine."
*Even during their Super Bowl days, the Steelers have never won four consecutive games in Cleveland. But, after last year's season-opening victory against the Browns, the streak is at three -- even if it is an interrupted streak. The Steelers won their last two games against the old Browns in 1994 (17-10) and '95 (20-17). Then they had to wait five years to make it three in a row, which they did in convincing fashion, winning 43-0.
The Browns weren't celebrating after left guard Jim Pyne was injured celebrating a touchdown in last week's victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when he landed celebrating a touchdown pass to tight end Mark Campbell. Pyne said the season-ending injury did not occur as a result of the celebration, that he had injured the knee before that play.
"I was in a lot of pain during the game," he told the Akron Beacon Journal. "The final thing was when I planted, and my knee gave out."
To replace Pyne, the Browns will start Jim Bundren, another player plucked from the 1999 expansion draft. Cleveland signed OL Paul Snellings from the St. Louis Rams to fill Pyne's roster spot.
Steelers Report: 9/15/00 
