Browns QB Delhomme's status unknown vs Bengals

BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Jake Delhomme's ankle still looks a little shaky. His playing status for Sunday's game is uncertain, too.

Cleveland's starting quarterback, who missed the past two games with a badly sprained right ankle, practiced for the second straight day on Friday, but it's still not certain if he'll play when the Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals this week.

Delhomme returned to practice Thursday after being sidelined since Sept. 12, when he sprained his ankle during the first half of Cleveland's season-opening loss at Tampa Bay. The 35-year-old veteran was inactive the past two weeks as backup Seneca Wallace started in losses to Kansas City and Baltimore.

Coach Eric Mangini will wait to see how Delhomme's ankle responds after a second practice and treatment before deciding upon a starter. Mangini was encouraged by Delhomme's progress and the way he moved during Thursday's workout, but he wouldn't commit to him starting or being the Browns' No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback.

"I think any combination is really possible two, three, one," Mangini said before practice. "It's just really how he does today, how it responds tomorrow and then we do have another 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday to see what it's like. You want to give it as much time as you can."

On their final injury report of the week, the Browns listed Delhomme as questionable - 50 percent chance of playing - for Sunday.

Delhomme was again favoring his ankle on Friday during the 30 minutes of practice open to reporters. He struggled on a few rollouts, looking stiff and uncomfortable as he ran, and was tentative while planting his right foot on some throws.

Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll felt Delhomme was more mobile on Friday than on his first day back.

Mangini would prefer starting Delhomme over Wallace, a career backup who spent the previous seven seasons with Seattle before coming to Cleveland in a trade. It's not that Mangini doesn't think Wallace can do a good job. He appreciates his mobility and believes he can lead the Browns. Mangini just likes Delhomme's skills set better.

Mangini said he is comfortable with Delhomme playing even with a short week of on-field preparation.

"His overall knowledge is really solid and he didn't miss a beat in terms of his preparation," he said. "He's got a pretty consistent routine that he has developed over years so that's stayed the same while he's been off the field."

Starting defensive linemen Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip), Kenyon Coleman (knee) and Robaire Smith (back) all practiced Friday after missing two games. The trio was listed as questionable along with Delhomme, offensive lineman Shaun Lauvao (ankle) and wide receiver Brian Robiskie (hamstring).