BEREA -- The Browns' injury list is growing longer and longer as the season rolls on. The latest notable addition is running back Reuben Droughns.

Droughns did not practice yesterday because of what coach Romeo Crennel described as a strained knee. Nevertheless, Crennel expects Droughns to play against the Bengals Sunday in Cincinnati. Droughns stood on the sideline in the fieldhouse yesterday as his teammates ran sprints.

Lee Suggs is ready to go if Droughns cannot play. Suggs is Mr. December for the Browns; in 2003 he rushed for 186 yards in Cincinnati on the final game of the season, and last year he closed out the 2004 season with three straight 100-yard games. He has not had a carry this season.

''Any chance I get, I have to show them what I can do,'' Suggs said yesterday. ''I haven't had a carry since the first preseason game.

''I just want to be a part of the team. I think things will change (in the future). I'm not mad Reuben is getting a lot of the reps. Reub is a good back. I just have to be patient and wait for my chance to come.''

Suggs missed the first three games with a sprained ankle, played in two games and then he missed six more with a fractured thumb. He had to wear a brace on his thumb when he returned in the Minnesota game. Now he can play with his thumb taped and no brace.