Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Eire; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) gestures after a primary down within the second half towards the Minnesota Vikings throughout an NFL Worldwide Sequence recreation at Croke Park. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs The AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers progressed towards full well being throughout their bye week whereas a number of fellow contenders suffered defeats.
Pittsburgh (3-1) will purpose to maintain shifting ahead when the struggling Cleveland Browns (1-4) go to on Sunday.
All the higher with the reinforcements the Steelers are hopeful to have in tow.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated this week that he expects cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) and working again Jaylen Warren (knee) to return towards the Browns.
Tomlin added that cornerback Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) and huge receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) additionally could possibly be in line to play.
Ostensibly, the open week afforded Pittsburgh extra time to arrange for Browns standout defensive finish Myles Garrett, who has 4 sacks by means of 5 video games.
Steelers left sort out Broderick Jones, nevertheless, is aware of the drill in his third season going through Cleveland.
“Simply coming in with the best mindset,” Jones stated. “I really feel that is 90 p.c of the battle. Simply not getting in your personal head earlier than it is time and simply going on the market and enjoying your recreation.”
Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers considers Garrett a future Corridor of Famer and “one of many few gamers within the league over my 21 years that you simply recreation plan for.”
Nonetheless, he is aware of the Steelers boast their very own defensive gamebreaker in linebacker T.J. Watt, who has a team-best three sacks.
“After we performed the Steelers final 12 months (with the New York Jets),” Rodgers stated, “our plan was to get 4 fingers on T.J. Watt each single play.”
Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is ready to make his second profession begin for the Browns, who enter Week 6 with the NFL’s fourth-worst level differential, at minus-50.
Cleveland on Tuesday traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, 40, and a 2026 sixth-round draft choose to the division rival Cincinnati Bengals for a 2026 fifth-round choose.
Flacco began the Browns’ first 4 video games earlier than yielding to Gabriel, a third-round choice in April.
Gabriel went 19-for-33 from 190 yards and a pair of landing passes in a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London.
“Lot to wash up,” Gabriel stated. “There’s at all times going to be good and dangerous.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t say initially whether or not rookie Shedeur Sanders or follow squad participant Bailey Zappe would function Gabriel’s backup towards the Steelers.
“All roster kind of issues, I at all times must be conscious of our gamers and our gamers’ improvement,” Stefanski stated. “And I wish to make it possible for I am at all times doing what’s finest for our gamers and, in fact, our crew. However with younger gamers, I am at all times occupied with — final week, making the change to Dillon, you need to assume lengthy and laborious about that, as a result of these are younger gamers that you’re so invested of their improvement. So, I will let the choice play out (and) decide later.”
Sunday marks the 148th assembly between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The Steelers lead the collection 82-64-1 and enter with a four-game dwelling successful streak towards the Browns.
“We’re extremely aware of these guys, however they’re extremely aware of us,” Tomlin stated. “I simply assume that is the enjoyable and pleasure of divisional play — that intimacy, these relationships.”
–Subject Degree Media
