Mike Pettine on Joe Haden Not Playing Sunday: “He Didn’t Want To Go”

It seemed like everyone was more than a little taken back when Browns cornerback Joe Haden sat out the teams 30-27 last second loss to the Chargers Sunday in San Diego.

It seems you can count Browns head coach Mike Pettine as one of those likely surprised by Haden’s absence.

Monday in Berea Pettine spoke to the media, and made it clear as to the situation with Haden, giving a direct quote as to how the decision was made that the cornerback wouldn’t play.

“We left it up to Joe and he made the decision that he didn’t want to go,” Pettine told the media.

Hmmmm….

Sounds like a quick way to get into a coaches doghouse. It should be pointed out that Haden was suffering from bruised ribs which took place in the 27-20 loss to the Raiders the week before, as well as a broken finger on his right hand, which took place during practice last week.

The coach said that the corner did go out for warm ups, but then decided healthy enough to play. “He went out with (assistant secondary coach/corners) Aaron Glenn,” Pettine said.

“They went ahead and covered [his finger] up. He went out and worked out before the deadline to turn in the inactives to see if he could go or he couldn’t.”

He was listed as ‘probable’ on the team’s official injury report, which means there was a 75 percent chance of him playing.

Clearly the Browns could have used him, as Philip Rivers carved up the Browns secondary, leading them downfield in the final minute for a game-winning field goal drive after Tramon Williams jumped offsides.

Despite the loss to San Diego, Pettine said Monday that sitting at 1-3 the team wouldn’t jump the gun and make any significant changes to their roster.

“We’re not at the point where we feel that wholesale changes are necessary,” Pettine said Monday.

After Sunday the Browns are last in the NFL in total yards allowed per game, and second to last in run defense.