The Cleveland Browns may cut back on the number of plays given to rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert.

Gilbert was on the field for 59 of the 71 defensive plays, sixth highest on the team and the same as linebacker Chris Kirksey. (Joe Haden, Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner never left the field for the defense).

But Ben Roethlisberger found Gilbert again and again, and victimized him twice on the game-winning drive. A glum Gilbert said after the game that he has no time for a learning curve, that he has to play. Coach Mike Pettine agreed, saying he would not bench Gilbert, but might cut back on his reps.

"There's no substitute for live reps, but then you put yourself at the mercy of his learning curve," Pettine said.

Gilbert has been aggressive and active in practice, but he's not taking the same approach to games. The Browns believe in their young corner, but they also know they can't let his development hurt the team.

One injury that hurt the Browns was the unspecified knee injury that sidelined cornerback Isaiah Trufant for the season. Pettine had planned on using Trufant as the nickelback, which then would have allowed him to bring Gilbert along slowly as the fourth corner. Trufant's injury has the ripple effect of moving Gilbert up the ladder.

Also, rookie Pierre Desir was out on Sunday, and undrafted rookie Robert Nelson was inactive.

That left the Browns with Haden, Buster Skrine, Gilbert, Aaron Berry and K'Waun Williams at corner. Williams got six plays, meaning the bulk of the time the Browns' nickel package included the two starting corners and safeties and Gilbert.

Any rookie is going to be targeted. It happened with Leon McFadden last season; it has happened with others.

Gilbert has had practices where he stood out, but until he gains his confidence, opposing quarterbacks such Drew Brees will pick on him endlessly.