Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Injuries noted

Pittsburgh Steelers: Daequan Hardy (IR) — Undisclosed; Cole Burgess (IR) — Undisclosed; Donte Kent (PUP-R) — The Steelers placed Kent (undisclosed) on the reserve/PUP list Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.; Logan Lee (IR) — ir; Jack Driscoll (IR-R) — The Steelers placed Driscoll (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday with a designation to return, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.; DeShon Elliott (IR-R) — ir; Joey Porter Jr. (Out) — Porter (back) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Browns, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.; Gennings Dunker (IR) — The Steelers placed Dunker (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.; Rico Dowdle (Out) — The Steelers ruled Dowdle (toe) out for Thursday's game in Cleveland, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.; Brandin Echols (Questionable) — Echols (concussion) is listed as questionable ahead of Thursday's game against the Browns, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reported Wednesday.; Jalen Ramsey (Questionable) — Ramsey (wrist) is expected to play Thursday against the Browns, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.; Yahya Black (Questionable) — The Steelers added Black to their injury report and list him as questionable for Thursday's game against the Browns due to a personal matter.

Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (PUP-R) — out; Kendrick Green (IR) — ir; Damarri Mathis (IR) — Undisclosed; Elijah Chatman (IR) — The Browns reverted Chatman (quadriceps) to IR on Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Kalia Davis (IR) — The Browns placed Davis on injured reserve Tuesday due to a quadriceps injury.; Dillon Gabriel (IR-R) — ir; Joe Royer (NFI-R) — The Browns placed Royer (personal) on the reserve/non-football illness list Sunday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.; Edefuan Ulofoshio (IR) — Ulofoshio (biceps) reverted to the Browns' IR on Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Alex Wright (IR) — The Browns placed Wright on injured reserve Sunday due to a ruptured Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.; Teven Jenkins (Out) — Jenkins (back) is officially listed as out for Thursday's game versus Pittsburgh.; Dylan Sampson (IR) — Sampson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.; Elgton Jenkins (Out) — Jenkins (concussion) is officially listed as out for Thursday's game versus the Steelers.; Tyson Campbell (Questionable) — Campbell (knee) was estimated as a limited participant in Monday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.; Grant Delpit (Questionable) — Delpit (shoulder) was estimated as a limited participant in Monday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.; Tytus Howard (Questionable) — questionable; Tylan Wallace (Out) — Wallace (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Steelers.

QUARTERBACK

• Aaron Rodgers is the projected starting quarterback for PIT

  6.2 Y/A

  Through 3 games in 2026, Aaron Rodgers threw for 700 passing yards, completed 58.4% of his passes and averaged 6.2 yards per attempt. Last season over 16 games he threw for 3322 yards, completed 65.7% and averaged 6.67 yards per attempt, 24-7 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 4-2 touchdown-to-interception line is 3 games in.

• Deshaun Watson is the projected starting quarterback for CLE

  7.16 Y/A

  Through 3 games in 2026, Deshaun Watson threw for 587 passing yards, completed 68.3% of his passes and averaged 7.16 yards per attempt. His 5-1 touchdown-to-interception line rounds out the current sample without turning an early-season profile into a settled one.

TRENCHES

• PIT: 4.27 yards per rush attempt to CLE's 3.43

  0.83 Y/C

  Pittsburgh runs for 4.27 a carry over 3 games, almost exactly its 4.26 from last season, so that number looks real. Cleveland is at 3.43, down from 3.9, which is a 3-game dip that could bounce back some. The Steelers look like the team that can lean on the ground game and control the tempo, while the Browns may get pushed toward passing on schedule.

PASS RUSH

• CLE: 17.3 sack yards lost per game to PIT's 25.7

  8.3 YDS

  PIT is at 25.7 sack yards lost per game over 3 games; CLE is at 17.3 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 30. Last season PIT was at 14.8 over 17 games and CLE at 20.3 over 17 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• PIT @ CLE carries a 38.5 market total

  38.5

  At 38.5, this game sits 7 points under the 45.5 slate median, so the market expects a slow game settled by field goals and a couple of long drives. The sheet gives no injury, pace or scoring history, so the number is the only evidence. For that low total to crack, one side needs short fields from turnovers or a defensive score. A bettor can ask how many points one extra touchdown moves this game, since 7 points is the whole gap to the median.

• PIT: 63.3 offensive plays per game to CLE's 55.7

  7.7 PLAYS

  PIT is at 63.3 offensive plays per game over 3 games; CLE is at 55.7 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 30. Last season PIT was at 58.1 over 17 games and CLE at 60.6 over 17 games.

• PIT: 20 points allowed per game to CLE's 23.7

  3.7 PPG

  PIT is at 20 points allowed per game over 3 games; CLE is at 23.7 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 30. Last season PIT was at 22.8 over 17 games and CLE at 22.3 over 17 games.

TURNOVERS

• PIT: 2 takeaways per game to CLE's 0.67

  1.33 TO

  Pittsburgh is forcing 2 takeaways a game, Cleveland 0.67, over three games each. Takeaways are among the most random stats week to week, so both numbers are likely to move toward the middle. For PIT @ CLE, the gap favors Pittsburgh in turnover margin, but it's a thin edge to lean on alone.

RED ZONE

• PIT: 33.3% red-zone scoring allowed to CLE's 44.4%

  11.1 PP

  PIT is at 33.3% red-zone scoring allowed over 3 games; CLE is at 44.4% over 3 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Sep 30.

COVERAGE

• PIT: 192.7 passing yards allowed per game to CLE's 224

  31.3 YPG

  Pittsburgh allows 192.7 passing yards a game over three games, Cleveland allows 224. Passing totals depend on which quarterbacks a defense faced and how often opponents had to throw from behind, so three games leaves a lot to schedule. Pittsburgh's pass defense has held up better so far, and Cleveland's coverage looks like the more attackable side in this game.

• PIT: 33.3% third downs allowed to CLE's 39%

  5.7 PP

  Pittsburgh holds opponents to 33.3% on third down over three games, Cleveland allows 39%. Both are solid marks, and three games is a short sample that rides on the offences faced. Pittsburgh has been the better unit at getting off the field, which points toward shorter drives for Cleveland's offence in this game.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• PIT and CLE are even since 2025

  1-1 SERIES

  Both meetings last season were low-scoring and the home team won each time: Pittsburgh beat Cleveland 23-9 in October, then managed only 6 points in a 13-6 loss in Cleveland on Dec 28. That is two games, so it says more about how these defenses travel than about either offense. Cleveland held Pittsburgh to 6 at home last time, and this one is in Cleveland, so a grinding, low-total game is the shape these meetings have taken.

REPLACEMENT

• Drew Allar (QB) is inactive for PIT

  INACTIVE

  Allar is inactive by coach's decision for Thursday's game at Cleveland, with no injury involved. He will not play, so he has no effect on this game's numbers.

• Will Howard (QB) is inactive for PIT

  INACTIVE

  Howard is inactive by coach's decision for Thursday at Cleveland, with no injury involved. He is Pittsburgh's emergency quarterback, so he only sees the field if the starter and backup both go down.

• Taylen Green (QB) is inactive for CLE

  INACTIVE

  Green is inactive by coach's decision for Thursday against the Steelers, with no injury involved. He is Cleveland's emergency quarterback, so he only plays if both quarterbacks ahead of him go down.

• Brandin Echols (CB) is questionable for PIT

  QUESTIONABLE

  Pittsburgh cornerback Brandin Echols is questionable for Thursday at Cleveland with a concussion. A concussion requires clearing the league protocol, and the short week gives him little time. If he sits, the Steelers need another corner in coverage, though the sheet does not name one.

• Jamel Dean (CB) is questionable for PIT

  QUESTIONABLE

  Dean (ankle) has been ruled out from returning to Thursday's matchup versus Cleveland, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Reported Oct 2.

• Yahya Black (DE) is questionable for PIT

  QUESTIONABLE

  The Steelers added Black to their injury report and list him as questionable for Thursday's game against the Browns due to a personal matter. Reported Oct 1.

• Tyson Campbell (CB) is questionable for CLE

  QUESTIONABLE

  Campbell (knee) was estimated as a limited participant in Monday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports. Reported Sep 29.

• Jalen Ramsey (CB) is questionable for PIT

  QUESTIONABLE

  Ramsey has a wrist injury and remains listed as questionable, but is expected to play Thursday against the Browns. That makes questionable here mostly a formality. Bettors can plan on Ramsey being in the Pittsburgh secondary unless the news changes.

• Mason Graham (DT) is questionable for CLE

  QUESTIONABLE

  Graham (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's Week 4 matchup versus Pittsburgh, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Reported Oct 2.

• Derrick Harmon (DT) is questionable for PIT

  QUESTIONABLE

  Harmon (foot) has been ruled out from returning to Thursday's clash versus Cleveland, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports. Reported Oct 2.

• Grant Delpit (S) is questionable for CLE

  QUESTIONABLE

  Delpit (shoulder) was estimated as a limited participant in Monday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports. Reported Sep 29.

• Tylan Wallace (WR) is inactive for CLE

  INACTIVE

  Wallace (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Steelers. Reported Sep 30.

• Tytus Howard (OT) is questionable for CLE

  QUESTIONABLE

  CLE lists Tytus Howard as questionable on the injury report. Reported Sep 28.

• Elgton Jenkins (C) is inactive for CLE

  INACTIVE

  Jenkins (concussion) is officially listed as out for Thursday's game versus the Steelers. Reported Oct 1.

• Rico Dowdle (RB) is inactive for PIT

  INACTIVE

  PIT lists Rico Dowdle as inactive on the injury report. Reported Oct 1.

• Eli Heidenreich (RB) is inactive for PIT

  INACTIVE

  PIT lists Eli Heidenreich as inactive on the injury report. Reported Oct 1.

• Teven Jenkins (G) is inactive for CLE

  INACTIVE

  Jenkins (back) is officially listed as out for Thursday's game versus Pittsburgh. Reported Oct 1.

• Gabriel Rubio (DE) is inactive for PIT

  INACTIVE

  PIT lists Gabriel Rubio as inactive on the injury report. Reported Oct 1.

• Gennings Dunker (G) is on injured reserve for PIT

  IR

  The Steelers placed Dunker (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports. Reported Sep 26.

• Justin Jefferson (LB) is inactive for CLE

  INACTIVE

  CLE lists Justin Jefferson as inactive on the injury report. Reported Oct 1.

• Kevin Jobity Jr. (DT) is inactive for PIT

  INACTIVE

  PIT lists Kevin Jobity Jr. as inactive on the injury report. Reported Oct 1.

PRACTICE REPORT

• Tylan Wallace

  Out

  Knee · Did not practice · Out

• Teven Jenkins

  Out

  Back · Limited practice · Out

• Elgton Jenkins

  Out

  Concussion · Did not practice · Out

• Rico Dowdle

  Out

  Toe · Did not practice · Out

• Joey Porter Jr.

  Out

  Not injury related - other, Back · Limited practice · Out

• Yahya Black

  Questionable

  Not injury related - personal matter · Questionable

• Jalen Ramsey

  Questionable

  Limited practice · Questionable

• Brandin Echols

  LP

  Limited practice

• Tytus Howard

  FP

  Full practice

• Tyson Campbell

  FP

  Full practice

• Grant Delpit

  FP

  Full practice

• Gennings Dunker

  LISTED

  Knee

SITUATIONAL

• PIT: 49.3 penalty yards per game to CLE's 69.7

  20.3 YDS

  Cleveland is giving away 69.7 penalty yards a game over 3 games, way up from 49.4 last season, while Pittsburgh is steady at 49.3 against 47.2. Three games is a small sample, and Cleveland's jump looks more like noise than a new identity. If the Browns keep handing out free yards at home, it extends Pittsburgh drives and kills their own, which matters most in a tight, low-margin divisional game.

• PIT: 207.7 team passing yards per game to CLE's 178.3

  29.3 YPG

  PIT is at 207.7 team passing yards per game over 3 games; CLE is at 178.3 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Sep 30. Last season PIT was at 202.4 over 17 games and CLE at 165.2 over 17 games.

• PIT (2-1) at CLE (2-1), a division game

  -10 PT GAP

  Both teams are 2-1 with negative point totals, Pittsburgh at -7 and Cleveland at -17. Both records flatter the play. Cleveland has won two straight and is 1-0 at home, while Pittsburgh lost its one road game. A division game between two teams winning close or getting blown out once leans toward a tight spot, not a mismatch.

• PIT is on a short week

  4d vs 4d

  Pittsburgh and Cleveland both come in on 4 days, so neither side gets a rest edge. Short weeks tend to mean simpler game plans and less practice time for both. That can favor a lower-scoring, conservative game, but schedule alone gives no side an advantage.

AFTER GARY

• CLE +2.5 → +2.5

  NOW +0.5PP

  Gary's number was 2.5; the same book now shows 2.5.