CLEVELAND -- Mohamed Massaquoi is hurt, and without the wide receiver, the Cleveland Browns' passing game could be hurting against the Baltimore Ravens.
Massaquoi will miss Thursday night's NFL Network game against the Ravens with an injured hamstring. Massaquoi, who was off to a strong start this season, strained his left hamstring in the second half of Sunday's loss to Buffalo and did not practice the past two days. Before leaving for Baltimore on Wednesday, the Browns reported Massaquoi is out, meaning rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden won't have his top wide receiver against the Ravens.
Massaquoi has nine catches for a team-high 145 yards and has developed a nice chemistry with Weeden.
Massaquoi's injury likely will give Jordan Norwood his first playing time this season and force Cleveland's other wide receivers to step up their games for the Browns to have any chance of ending a nine-game losing streak.
The Browns also will face the Ravens without tight end Alex Smith, who will miss his second consecutive game with a concussion. Rookie linebacker James-Michael Johnson continues to be sidelined with injured ribs and won't play.
Browns safety and special-teams dynamo Ray Ventrone is listed as questionable. He played last week after undergoing surgery on a broken thumb.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
