It seems the brief optimism on Wednesday that Browns running back Peyton Hillis would play is all but gone. Wednesday saw Hillis do a little bit of practicing and some running, but his hamstring tightened up and he missed practice on Thursday and was considered doubtful by many of the local beat writers. Now the news just gets worse for Browns fans, via Mary Kay Cabot:

#browns rb Peyton hillis not practicing again today. 

The first official injury report for the Browns' game against the San Francisco 49ers will come out today, and Hillis would seem likely to appear on it under either questionable or doubtful. If Hillis isn't good to go, Montario Hardesty is likely to get the start again, and he did fill in nicely for Hillis against the Seattle Sehawks, rushing for just under 100 yards on the day. Hardesty has been taking all of the first-team snaps in practice with Hillis' absence.