Harrison returns to action

The Patriots officially activated safety Rodney Harrison yesterday, clearing the way for his return to action after a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's banned substances policy.

To make room on the 53-man roster, the team released tight end Marcellus Rivers, who had been signed Wednesday.

On Aug. 31, the NFL announced it was suspending Harrison without pay after he had admitted to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that he had violated the league's policy. Harrison's name came up in an investigation by the Albany (N.Y.) County District Attorney's office into an Internet drug scam. Sources in the investigation said that Harrison purchased human growth hormone.

Harrison returned to the team last Tuesday, and on Friday, coach Bill Belichick said the safety had an abundance of energy in practices during the week.

The question remains how much Harrison will play today against the Browns. Third-year veteran James Sanders has been solid as his replacement, and it's likely the two will split snaps as Harrison works his way toward the comfort level he had reached in the preseason.

Harrison will not be the only player in today's game returning from a banned substance suspension. The Browns activated right tackle Ryan Tucker, who was suspended four games in early August for violating the league's steroid policy. To make room for Tucker, the Browns released offensive tackle Kelly Butler.

In releasing Rivers, the Patriots enter today's game with just two pure tight ends on the roster: Kyle Brady and Benjamin Watson. Rivers could return to the team after the game, as the Patriots will need another tight end since David Thomas (foot) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. The Patriots probably decided that they needed depth in other areas today, such as running back, where Laurence Maroney (groin) has been slowed.

Short and sweet

Blowout wins are nice for the Patriots, but if history is any indication, they're going to need Stephen Gostkowski to make a long clutch kick at some point this season.

Gostkowski is 5 for 6 so far with a long of 36, which came against the Cincinnati Bengals last Monday. He has attempted only one 40-plus field goal this season and it was his lone miss, a 41-yarder against the Chargers in Week 2. But Gostkowski said he's not concerned about the lack of opportunity to kick much from distance.

"We practice it enough so we'll be ready when it comes up," said Gostkowski, who started 3 of 6 last season as a rookie. "I'm happy kicking all extra points if we're going to keep winning by 21.

"I'm just happy that we're winning."

Gostkowski also said he feels comfortable with punter Chris Hanson as a holder.

"He's doing a good job and we get plenty of practice," said Gostkowski. "All the guys that have come in have been good to work with. It usually takes a couple of days to get used to it."

Where there's a Willie

Since signing with the Patriots in 2003, Harrison has been one of the pillars of the locker room. But the respected safety said that former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest, who returns to Gillette Stadium today for the first time as a member of the Cleveland Browns, was one of the "foundation layers" for New England's success.

"He's one of the hardest-working guys that I've ever been around, a great leader," said Harrison.

"I'm just so happy that he won three Super Bowl rings. He got what he deserved in his career. He's one of the most respected guys, in my opinion, that I've been around, just tremendous, as well as Junior Seau and the [Tom] Bradys and the [Tedy] Bruschis and guys like that.

"Miss Willie, miss him dearly, but hopefully we can keep him away from our quarterback."

Tackling the task

Lost in the hoopla around Harrison's return has been the steady play of free safety Eugene Wilson this season. Wilson, who has been either ineffective or injured each of the last two seasons, is leading all New England defensive backs in tackles with 17, according to coaches' film review. "I think Eugene has had a good year," said coach Bill Belichick. "I think he's had a good training camp, a good offseason, and I think he's done a solid job for us. He's a smart kid. He communicates well. He understands football concepts very well and he's gained a lot of experience back there. For a kid who played corner in college and didn't really think about playing safety until one day when he was told he was going to be a safety, he's come a long way at that position against some good players, especially last week. That's a pretty good passing game that [Cincinnati] has, a good quarterback. He's done a good job." . . . Cleveland downgraded safety Gary Baxter (knees) to "out" for today . . . The Patriots worked out former Bengals defensive back Keiwan Ratliff Friday.

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com