Joel Bitonio active and expected to play for Cleveland Browns against Houston Texans

HOUSTON — The Browns will be getting a large boost on Sunday.

All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio was active for Sunday's game at the Houston Texans. He had been listed as questionable coming into the game due to the back injury which forced him out of last Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears in the first quarter.

Bitonio has still only missed one regular-season start since the end of the 2016 season, the Browns' Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Michael Dunn started in his place for that game, just as he filled in for against the Bears.

Browns center Ethan Pocic back in starting lineup against Texans

The Browns will have three of their five starting offensive linemen back in the lineup, with Bitonio and center Ethan Pocic back after injuries. The tackles, Geron Christian and James Hudson III, remain replacements for starters.

The rest of the Browns inactive list include multiple players who have been battling injuries that have led them to miss multiple games. That includes safety Juan Thornhill (calf), linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (knee), linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (calf) and defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (pectoral muscle).

The other inactive players for the Browns are cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, center Luke Wypler and defensive end Isaiah McGuire.

The Browns elevated safety Tanner McCalister and linebacker Charlie Thomas III from the practice squad to the gameday roster.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joel Bitonio active and expected to play for Browns against Texans