Ahtyba Rubin injury: Browns DT returns to practice

Ahtyba Rubin returned to practice with the Cleveland Browns on Monday, and could be active for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Ahtyba Rubin injury: Browns DT aggravates calf injury early against Colts

Trying to come back from a calf injury he suffered in Week 5, Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin aggravated the same calf early in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> DL Ahtyba Rubin has suffered a calf injury. His return to the game is questionable.</p>&mdash; Cleveland Browns (@OfficialBrowns) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialBrowns/status/260074929133854720" data-datetime="2012-10-21T17:47:49+00:00">October 21, 2012</a></blockquote>

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Rubin would stay on the sidelines for the rest of Cleveland's 17-13 loss to the Colts. After the game, Rubin was receiving treatment on the injured calf.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Ahtyba Rubin has a wrap and ice on his right calf <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a></p>&mdash; Will Burge (@WillBurge) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillBurge/status/260114407718281219" data-datetime="2012-10-21T20:24:42+00:00">October 21, 2012</a></blockquote>

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Take a look at rookie quarterback Andrew Luck's scramble for the first Colts touchdown. After getting off his blocker, Rubin is noticeably limping chasing after Luck:

via assets.sbnation.com

Without Rubin in the middle for Cleveland, the Browns had to rely on rookies Billy Winn and John Hughes to fill in. Winn's inexperience really showed as he jumped offside on a Colts fourth and inches when Indianapolis went with a hard count. Rubin's status for next week's game against the San Diego Chargers is unknown.

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Ahtyba Rubin injury update: Browns DT nursing calf issue, back at practice

Unable to play last weekend due to a calf injury suffered in Week 5, Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin finally returned to the the practice field on Wednesday and will be ready for the Colts, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

The 6'2, 330-pound lineman was replaced by the rookie duo of John Hughes and Billy Winn in Sunday's victory over Cincinnati, and his return gives the team a huge boost defensively entering a tricky Week 7 game on the road. Even with Rubin out of the lineup, the combination of Hughes and Winn teamed up to hold the Bengals to just 76 total rushing yards on 20 attempts in the win. With an elite run-stopper like Rubin back in the fold against a Colts offense struggling to run the ball already, Cleveland's defensive front seven is poised for another strong performance.

Along with Rubin's return to the practice field, fellow defensive tackle Phil Taylor was recently removed from the team's short-term injured reserve list and is just weeks away from returning. The No. 21 overall pick out of Baylor in 2011 continues to lift weights in his bid to recover from a torn pectoral muscle, and could be a huge asset to head coach Pat Shurmur's defense when he's finally healthy enough to play again.

#Browns DT Ahtyba Rubin on return from injury: 'Strained calf. It's back healthy. I'll be ready for Sunday & back to same speed & all that'

— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) October 17, 2012

Ahtyba Rubin injury: Browns DT misses 3rd straight practice

Cleveland Browns defensive end Ahtyba Rubin missed his third straight practice on Friday due to a calf injury he suffered during the team's Week 5 loss to the New York Giants. Rubin's status may be in doubt for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron addressed the possibility that rookie DTs John Hughes and Billy Winn will play a bigger role in Week 6 if Rubin is unable to go. Jauron explained his thinking during his meeting with reporters on Thursday (via clevelandbrowns.com):

"You don't want to lose Rube. It's another one of those situations where a starter leaves the lineup and it's just not good, it's not what you're looking for. Rube is a quiet leader for us so we don't want him off the field. We don't really have any problems nor choices with John (Hughes) and Billy (Winn), but they both really, they've played at a high level and they're getting better. I believe they're getting better every week. They just are so those two picks proved to be, I think long-term will really serve the organization well, short-term also. They are playing well."

Cleveland's defense currently ranks No. 25 against the run and No. 27 against the pass, but they finally get cornerback Joe Haden back from his four-game suspension so things could turn around for the unit if they can keep everyone else healthy. Unfortunately, that has proven to be a difficult task for the team so far in 2012.

The Browns gave up 34 points to the Bengals when the two teams met in Week 2, so they will look to improve upon that effort in the rematch on Sunday.

Ahtyba Rubin injury: Browns DT held out of practice with calf problem

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin missed Wednesday's practice because of injury, putting his starting status this weekend in jeopardy. Rubin was injured during Week 5's loss to the New York Giants and was seen in a walking boot in Cleveland's locker room following the game.

Rubin's absence on Sunday would make Cleveland's defense even thinner, with Phil Taylor already out and D'Qwell Jackson looking unlikely to play as well. Jackson missed Wednesday's practice after suffering a concussion on Sunday, and will need to pass multiple concussion tests before being allowed to return to the field.

Cleveland's defense allowed 243 rushing yards to the Giants on Sunday. New York took advantage of a defense without Jackson and Rubin, and the Browns could be facing the same type of attack this weekend.

If Rubin does miss the game, the Browns could end up starting two rookies on Sunday, with Billy Winn filling in for Taylor and John Hughes potentially filling in for Rubin.

Ahtyba Rubin injury: Browns DT leaves locker room in walking boot

Ahtyba Rubin had a productive game for the Cleveland Browns against the New York Giants, however it came at a cost as he left the locker room following today's game in a walking boot, according to Mary Kay Cabot.

The defensive tackle made five stops Sunday afternoon, bringing his season total to 15.

It is another tough blow for an already snakebitten Browns defense. Rubin is considered by many to be the best defensive player they have. The loss of him for any period of time in addition to fellow tackle Phil Taylor who is out with a torn pectoral will make it even tougher for Cleveland.

In his five-year career, Ruben has made 229 tackles, while forcing two fumbles and making 8.0 sacks. He was coming off a career year in 2011 where he made five sacks to go with 56 solo tackles.

The next player on the depth chart is rookie John Hughes.