BEREA: The Browns are 3-7 despite a bevy of quarterback injuries but still appear to at least be a step or two ahead of the 1-9 Carolina Panthers.

When the Panthers play at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m., Panthers rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen is hoping to come back from a concussion suffered Nov. 14 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It would be best if Clausen can play, considering starter Matt Moore is out for the season with a right shoulder injury and backup Brian St. Pierre's back is aching after throwing more than he had in nearly a year during Sunday's 37-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Had the Panthers practiced Monday, St. Pierre would not have been able to play after he pulled a muscle in his upper back against the Ravens. But the Panthers' version of quarterback quandary settled a bit Wednesday, when Clausen practiced for the first time since the injury.

''I'm feeling a lot better than I did last week,'' Clausen said on a league conference call. ''But I'm still going through some evaluations to see if I'm going to be able to play this week.''

Even when the former Notre Dame quarterback has been on the field, the results have been mixed. In seven NFL games (including four starts), Clausen has completed 67-of-138 passes with one touchdown and four interceptions. In addition to being sacked 13 times, Clausen has a passer rating of 53.8.

''Like a lot of young players, Jimmy's learning with each snap,'' Panthers coach John Fox said Wednesday during a league conference call. ''From a work-ethic standpoint he's busting his butt and as a coach, that's all you can ask for.''

Before the season, University of Akron quarterbacks coach Ron Powlus talked about how tough it was watching Clausen slip in the draft to the second round amid questions about his leadership.

''He worked hard at being a great quarterback and worked hard at being a good leader and a good person,'' Powlus said. ''It's not easy when the whole world's watching. I hated to see what he went through on the first day of the draft and all the character things people talked about.''

Clausen is just one of a handful of rookie quarterbacks in the league this season, and keeps tabs on how his draft classmates are doing.

''Coming into this league as a rookie, the quarterback is definitely the toughest position to be in,'' he said. ''But [St. Louis Rams rookie] Sam [Bradford] has been throwing since Day One, and I think he's been doing a great job. Colt [McCoy] has come in and done the same thing. I keep in contact with those guys and just talked to Colt yesterday. It'll be good to come down and see him.''

But a reunion on the field is unlikely because McCoy (high ankle sprain) is not likely to play.

More passes to Moore

Browns coach Eric Mangini gave some insight Wednesday into why tight end Evan Moore doesn't seem to get involved in the game plan until late in games.

''Here's one reason for anyone's involvement: If you don't have sustained drives you don't have opportunities,'' Mangini said. ''If our time of possession is skewed one way, the amount of chances that you have to get anybody involved decreases dramatically.

''When you're able to sustain some drives and get some first downs and you get three more chances then you tend to get more guys involved. What you don't want to do is say, 'OK, we're going to throw him the ball,' and then you throw him the ball and it's into coverage.''

Lauvao called out

Mangini called out the play of rookie offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao during Sunday's loss to the Jaguars.

''I think he needs to play better than he did on Sunday,'' Mangini said. ''For a young guy getting that opportunity, there were some things that were difficult to handle. [But] he's a smart guy and I think he will play better. He's got good work ethic and he's got all of the things we're looking for. He's getting more and more experience as we go, but you want to see him improve from what we had last week.''

Lauvao wasn't with the first-team offense during the 30-minute portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media. Floyd ''Pork Chop'' Womack was at right guard, and John St. Clair was lined up at right tackle.

''With any player, Coach knows what's best,'' Lauvao said when told about Mangini's comments. ''I'm always gonna listen to the coach. Whatever areas I need to work on, I'll definitely focus on that and improve.''

Dreams to reality

Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi is excited to play against the Panthers on Sunday. A native of Charlotte, N.C., he was a Panthers fan.

''It's more cool than anything because it's the team I grew up watching,'' Massaquoi said. ''This is the team I've been a fan of since I was a little kid. It will be pretty cool being out there with Jake [Delhomme] if he's the starter playing against Carolina.''

Injury report

Defensive back Mike Adams (abdomen), linebackers Eric Barton (shoulder) and Scott Fujita (knee), receiver Josh Cribbs (foot), McCoy (ankle) and Rogers (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Those who had limited participation in practice were defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman (knee) and Womack (knee). . . . For the Panthers, cornerbacks Chris Gamble (personal) and Captain Munnerlyn (shoulder), safeties Marcus Hudson (ankle) and Jordan Pugh (hamstring), running back Tyrell Sutton (ankle) and guard Travelle Wharton (toe) did not practice. Those who were limited were quarterbacks Tony Pike (arm) and St. Pierre (arm). Clausen (concussion), receiver Brandon LaFell (concussion) and running back Jonathan Stewart (concussion) had full participation in practice.

Brownies

Guard Eric Steinbach and Cribbs are the leading AFC vote-getters at their positions. Steinbach has 101, 519 votes, Cribbs 98,812 . . . The Browns will host their annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Touchdown for Tots gate collection Sunday. Volunteers will be at all gates collecting donations to support those in need this holiday season. Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unused toy valued at $10 or more or to make a monetary donation. Non-ticketed fans are welcome to stop by Cleveland Browns Stadium as well to make a donation. . . . Free Kids Friday is back at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Friday, Kids 14 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult purchasing an admission at the regular adult rate. Kids will also receive a special grab bag full of football merchandise provided by NFL licensed partners. Kids who wear their favorite NFL team or school football apparel will receive an additional gift.