AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Steelers

Bengals

• Per Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bengals RB Joe Mixon (foot) missed practice Wednesday. 
• Bengals C Trey Hopkins (concussion) and G Michael Jordan (illness) returned to practice and appear to be trending toward a return after the bye. 
• Bengals WR Tyler Boyd said WR John Ross should be fine despite the team not granting his trade request: “I think he’ll be fine. At the end of the day, he has great friends in that (WR) room.” (Ben Baby)

Browns

• Per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Browns GM Andrew Berry said they explored a number of potential trades on Tuesday: “We explored a number of different possibilities. … A couple of things moved into striking distance but got moved away from us or we moved away from them for various reasons.”
• Adam Caplan notes the Browns were exploring trading for a wide receiver. 
• Regarding the future of WR Odell Beckham, Berry said the focus is currently on getting him back for next year: “He’s one of best WRs in NFL, played really good football before he was injured, he’s embraced organization, our focus with Odell is making sure he recovers from torn ACL, we want him to be ready for next year.” (Ulrich)
• Browns TE Austin Hooper returned to practice after missing time for an appendectomy. (Mary Kay Cabot)

Steelers

• The Steelers are hosting DT Demarcus Christmas for a visit this week. (Aaron Wilson)
• Steelers activated OL Stefen Wisniewski from injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Steelers placed LB Ulysses Gilbert on injured reserve.