When the Cincinnati Bengals head to Cleveland to face their in-state rivals Sunday, they will see a Browns defense that looks a little different than the last time the two teams squared off 28 days earlier.

Cornerback Joe Haden will be back in the Cleveland lineup after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, and the Browns are hoping he will make a difference for the NFL’s 28th-ranked defense.

“To get one of our best defensive players back in the lineup will just naturally give us a lift,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. “I anticipate that Joe will get himself ready and go out and compete and play well.”

The Cleveland secondary allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 99 of 149 passes for 1,141 yards and 10 touchdowns during Haden’s four-game absence. But in the season opener, Haden had one of Cleveland’s four interceptions against Michael Vick.

“(Haden) is quick, he’s good with his hands and he comes out of his breaks really well,” said Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-27 victory against the Browns on Sept. 16, their first game without Haden.

“He’s always around the ball. That’s why he’s so good,” Dalton added. “We expect him to follow A.J. (Green). It will be a good matchup.”

Haden held Green without a catch for most of last year’s opener, but some pre-snap confusion late in the fourth quarter led to a blown assignment that allowed Green to run free for a 41-yard, game-winning touchdown.

In the November rematch, Haden held Green to two catches before the Bengals wide receiver made an acrobatic 51-yard reception in the final minute to set up the game-winning field goal.

Green enters Sunday’s game ranked fifth in the NFL in receptions (36) and receiving yards (493).

“It’s another challenge for me,” said Green, who called Haden one of the toughest cornerbacks he’s faced.

Their battles go back to their college days in the SEC when Green played for Georgia while Haden was at Florida.

“He’s a great cover guy,” Green added. “He’s aggressive. He can read coverages real well, the routes and the depths. I definitely have respect for him because he’s a great player in this league.”