Steelers–Browns injuries: Hall returned, three defenders ruled out

October 3 update: The Browns announced on October 2 that an MRI showed Mason Graham sustained an MCL sprain and an ankle sprain in Thursday’s 27–24 win over Pittsburgh. His return will be evaluated week to week. Cleveland did not announce a return date; that assessment does not confirm how many games he will miss or when he will be cleared to play.

October 1 game injury recap: The Browns ruled defensive tackle Mason Graham out for the remainder of Thursday’s game with a knee injury sustained in the first quarter. He had initially been listed as questionable to return, as Daniel Oyefusi reported earlier in the game. That game-day ruling did not establish a longer-term recovery timetable.

Fellow Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. returned in the third quarter after being listed as questionable with an ankle injury late in the first half. The earlier team update had confirmed Daniel Oyefusi’s report of that designation. Hall later sacked Aaron Rodgers for a 10-yard loss on third-and-15, helping force a Pittsburgh punt. His return in this game does not establish his availability for Cleveland’s next matchup.

Pittsburgh also had cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle) and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (foot) ruled out during the game. Those rulings concerned their availability for the remainder of the October 1 matchup; they do not establish a recovery timetable or a decision for the Steelers’ next game.

Cleveland won 27–24. Our Steelers–Browns final recap covers the fourth-quarter comeback and Andre Szmyt’s winning field goal.

Pregame inactive announcements

Updated October 1, 2026, after the official inactive announcements: Jalen Ramsey is active for Pittsburgh’s Thursday-night game in Cleveland. Rico Dowdle is inactive for a second consecutive game, while Yahya Black is not on the Steelers’ inactive list after being listed as questionable earlier in the day.

Earlier Thursday, Burt Lauten announced that Brandin Echols had been upgraded to no injury designation and Black had been added as questionable for a personal reason. Ramsey carried a questionable designation with a wrist injury. The game-day list now resolves those earlier availability questions; Dowdle had already been ruled out with a toe injury.

Both teams enter the AFC North matchup at 2-1. The availability decisions matter in different ways: Pittsburgh is sorting through defensive personnel, while Cleveland will face the Steelers’ pass rush without starting center Elgton Jenkins.

What changed in Pittsburgh’s secondary?

Echols had cleared concussion protocol Wednesday but still carried a questionable designation. Thursday’s upgrade removes that game-status listing. The later inactive announcement confirms that Ramsey is active as well.

The other major change is permanent: Joey Porter Jr. is headed to Dallas in a trade. Porter had already been ruled out for the Browns game before the deal. His Wednesday injury designation should therefore no longer be read as a pending decision about whether he will play for Pittsburgh tonight.

Ramsey was limited throughout the practice week and had said he wanted to try to play if he could protect his injured wrist and remain effective. Pittsburgh has now confirmed him as active. That establishes his game-day availability, without specifying a snap count.

Full game-day inactive lists

Pittsburgh: Rico Dowdle, Drew Allar, Will Howard (third quarterback), Eli Heidenreich, Kevin Jobity Jr. and Gabriel Rubio.

Cleveland: Taylen Green (third quarterback), Tylan Wallace, linebacker Justin Jefferson, Elgton Jenkins and Teven Jenkins.

Will Howard and Taylen Green carry the third-quarterback designation on the official lists. The Browns’ Justin Jefferson is a linebacker, not the Minnesota receiver.

Slaughter signed, Nichols elevated before kickoff

Pittsburgh signed defensive back Doneiko Slaughter to its 53-man roster Thursday and elevated running back Lew Nichols from the practice squad for the Browns game.

The two moves carry different roster implications. Slaughter joins the active roster after being elevated for each of Pittsburgh’s first three games. Nichols’ elevation is for this game, with a return to the practice squad afterward.

Slaughter adds another defensive back following Porter’s departure. Nichols supplies another running-back option with Dowdle ruled out; he was also elevated for last week’s game against Cincinnati. Those roster transactions are separate from the subsequent inactive announcement.

Why Cleveland’s center change matters

Kelsey Russo reported that Luke Wypler is expected to replace Elgton Jenkins at center. Guard Teven Jenkins will also miss the game, as will receiver Tylan Wallace. Tackle Tytus Howard returned to full practice Wednesday.

Cleveland’s protection challenge extends across the line. Pittsburgh has eight sacks through three games, with T.J. Watt accounting for 3.5 and Alex Highsmith for three. Those two edge rushers have produced 6.5 of the team’s eight sacks.

As Brian D’Aguanno detailed this week, rookie Spencer Fano is preparing for Highsmith’s quick get-off and range of pass-rush moves, while Howard could see Watt frequently. The matchups make clean communication and avoiding self-inflicted long-yardage situations especially important for a line changing centers.

How the absences affect the offensive matchup

Dowdle will miss his second consecutive game. Jaylen Warren supplied 127 rushing yards on 17 carries against Cincinnati, helping Pittsburgh rebound from a three-point performance at New England with a 30-27 win.

That gives Aaron Rodgers a useful starting point, although Cleveland presents a different defensive challenge. The Browns have seven sacks through three games, including two from defensive backs. Todd Monken has emphasized disguising coverage while still keeping defenders in position against Rodgers’ quick release.

The tactical question is how each offense avoids letting the opposing front dictate the game. Cleveland must protect through a center change; Pittsburgh must keep the ground game and short passing game productive. Our earlier look at Rodgers and the Steelers’ short-week preparation explains how Pittsburgh is trying to make its improved execution repeatable.

Kickoff

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday, October 1, at Huntington Bank Field. The game is on Prime Video in the United States.

These are the clubs’ game-day designations. An active listing does not specify how many snaps a player will receive.