Dimitri

Patterson

Haden missed practice again on Thursday after spraining his knee the week before the bye. He had been flirting with “shutdown” status before the injury, so his absence is good news for the Raiders’ wide receiver teases. Dimitri Patterson is expected to start in Haden’s spot with rookie Buster Skrine as the third corner.

The deal includes $6 million guaranteed. A former Eagles castoff, Patterson was the Browns’ nickel back last season, notching 28 tackles and zero interceptions. Solid in coverage of slot receivers, his return is good news for a pass defense that allowed just 184.9 yards per game in 2011.

Talk of Brown changing positions began in 2010 and carried over to last offseason as well, though it’s never come to fruition. Now 33, Brown’s effectiveness in man coverage is waning. He began to lose snaps to Dimitri Patterson and Buster Skrine late last season.

The Browns like Patterson as a nickel corner, but they’re apparently leery of overpaying. Safety Mike Adams is still in talks with the Browns, but appears likely to join Patterson in reaching free agency.

Patterson is a Tom Heckert favorite, coming over from Philadelphia last year and excelling as a slot corner throughout the season. Patterson’s contract demands are unclear, but the 28-year-old would be worth bringing back on a multi-year deal. The Browns ideally wouldn’t put him at outside corner, though.

Typically Cleveland’s nickel back, Patterson has 15 tackles and zero interceptions. Knee MRIs rarely reveal good news, but there’s been nothing to suggest Patterson is dealing with a season-ending injury. Rookie Buster Skrine should man the slot if Patterson is out for Week 9.

If the aging Sheldon Brown shifts to safety, there will be a hole opposite Joe Haden. Patterson started taking snaps away from Brown at corner late in the season, perhaps as an audition. Patterson, 29, could certainly be had cheaply.

It’s confirmation that Haden did get suspended after reportedly testing positive for Adderall. By submitting an appeal, he’s staved off serving that suspension for now. Holmgren admitted that he doesn’t know for sure, but “suspect(s) if we haven’t heard by now, we’ll have him for the first game.” Anytime Haden sits and Dimitri Patterson starts, the Browns’ secondary takes a major hit.

Last year’s nickel back, Patterson will push Sheldon Brown at right cornerback. Jauron believes there’s “no reason to doubt” Brown even if he clearly lost a step last season. Buster Skrine and seventh-round rookie Trevin Wade are expected to challenge for dime back duties.

Patterson was able to practice for the first time in six weeks on Thursday. He’ll remain sidelined for at least one more game, but could be targeting a Week 14 return. The Browns have also formally ruled out FS Usama Young (concussion).