The Steelers head into Week 8 (Nov 1, 2026) with a 5-2 record and a showdown against the Browns for AFC North supremacy. Key injuries loom: WR Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Roman Wilson are on IR after foot and finger injuries, respectively, while DT Derrick Harmon (foot) and DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (triceps) also sit out. For Sunday’s game, CB Brandin Echols and DB Doneiko Slaughter are ruled out with hamstrings, and WR Ben Skowronek is questionable with a calf strain. The thin receiver corps makes Skowronek’s health crucial as Pittsburgh tries to maintain its offensive flow.
The Steelers are making adjustments ahead of Sunday's matchup with Cleveland, with multiple injuries creating questions about their available personnel.
This week’s NFL Blue Book radio roundup covers three hot topics: Arch Manning’s future and the increasingly tangled 2027 quarterback draft class discussed with Unsportsmanlike Conduct in Omaha; a review of the first 24 games under Titans GM Mike Borgonzi with Robby & Rexrode in Nashville; and a Browns‑Steelers preview featuring Jeffery Simmons’ surprise play and the Browns’ trade‑deadline outlook with Baskin and Phelps in Cleveland. Links to each segment’s YouTube clips are included.
The Browns are reportedly seeking a pass rusher and a blocking tight end after a 5-2 start, according to Albert Breer. Meanwhile, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, sidelined by a high‑ankle sprain for three games, is expected back for Week 8, with teammate Zay Flowers saying his return lifts team morale and could spark a turnaround after a Week 7 loss to the Bengals. In Pittsburgh, safety DeShon Elliott recounts his comeback from a season‑ending torn hamstring suffered in October 2025, noting a successful return in Week 7 after a stint on IR and emphasizing his hard work and recovery.
Behind the Steel Curtain hosts a Saturday Night Open Thread on Halloween, inviting Steelers fans to discuss the upcoming rematch with the Browns and share game‑day treats, costume stories, and favorite horror media. The post includes five light‑hearted questions about predictions, Halloween traditions, snack preferences, scariest shows, and best decorations, all set to Ray Parker Jr.’s Ghostbusters theme. It’s a community‑focused chat for fans to celebrate the holiday while gearing up for the next matchup.
The Steelers will be without inside linebacker Elandon Roberts for Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns, as he was not elevated from the practice squad before the deadline. Roberts re‑joined Pittsburgh on Oct. 12 after a stint with the Raiders, but will miss another game despite a healthy linebacker corps (Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Carson Bruener, Cole Holcomb). The team promoted two wide receivers, Brandon Smith and Brandon Johnson, to cover injuries to Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, and a questionable Ben Skowronek. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy praised Roberts' veteran grit, but the lineup remains intact.
The Steelers left veteran wideout Marquez Valdes‑Scantling on the practice squad for Week 8, so he will miss Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Re‑signed last Tuesday after a brief stint with the Chargers, Valdes‑Scantling has only five games of familiarity with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy, but the injuries to Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek and Michael Pittman Jr. left the depth chart thin. Instead, practice‑squad receivers Brandon Johnson (elevated for a third time) and Brandon Smith (promoted to the 53‑man roster) will suit up. Valdes‑Scantling, 31, logged 10 catches for 80 yards and one TD last season and remains eager to play alongside Rodgers, who praised his work ethic this week.
The Miami Dolphins have promoted kicker Zane Gonzalez and defensive end Max Llewellyn to their active roster. Gonzalez, a 31‑year‑old former seventh‑round pick who has bounced between practice squads and short‑term contracts with the Browns, Cardinals, Lions, Panthers, 49ers, Washington and Atlanta, most recently posted a 19‑of‑22 field‑goal record with the Falcons in 2025. The move adds veteran depth to Miami’s special teams, while the elevation of DE Llewellyn, whose details were not disclosed, bolsters the defensive line for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The Steelers host the Browns Sunday at 1:00 PM EST, and the latest projected inactive list for Week 8 is out. Steelers Depot breaks down which Pittsburgh players are likely to miss the game, citing injury updates and roster moves as of October 31, 2026. Fans can see who may sit out and how the lineup could affect the Steelers' chances against Cleveland.
The Cleveland Browns get a boost for Sunday’s divisional clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers as starting right tackle Tytus Howard passes the concussion protocol and will suit up, giving the offensive line a full roster for the first time in 23 years against Pittsburgh in the Meadowlands. Cornerback Myles Harden remains questionable with a hamstring issue, while rookie tight end Carsen Ryan is the only practice‑squad elevation, returning after a brief release to make room for running back Dylan Sampson. Pittsburgh also shuffled its roster, adding WR Brandon Smith and elevating WR Brandon Johnson.
Ahead of the Week 8 showdown with the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers shuffle their receiving corps after injuries to Roman Wilson, Michael Pittman Jr., and a questionable Ben Skowronek. Pittsburgh signs practice‑squad WR Brandon Smith to the active 53‑man roster and promotes WR Brandon Johnson for the game. Smith, who logged two catches for 24 yards against the Saints, earns his first active‑roster spot, while Johnson makes his third and final elevation before returning to the practice squad.
The Steelers promote wide receiver Brandon Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster for Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns, marking his third and final elevation this season. Johnson, 27, has seen limited action—three snaps vs. Tampa Bay and eight vs. New Orleans—and has yet to be targeted. Injuries keep starters Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson on IR, leaving backup Ben Skowronek questionable with a calf issue. The team also signs practice‑squad tight end Brandon Smith to the 53‑man roster. Johnson, an undrafted UCF alum, has 26 career receptions for 335 yards and five TDs across stints with Pittsburgh, the Broncos and the Raiders.
The Steelers announced two roster moves on Saturday before hosting the Browns in Week 8. Veteran wide receiver Brandon Smith joins the 53‑man roster after his third elevation was used in Paris, while the team also made a second addition (details pending). These moves aim to bolster Pittsburgh’s offense ahead of the October 31 matchup at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers' chances against the Browns this Sunday hinge on how well they handle Cleveland's man coverage. Sharp Football notes Aaron Rodgers faces man defenses 40% of the time—more than any QB—yet he ranks 27th in completion rate (52%) and 22nd in yards per attempt (6.0) against it. In Week 4, the Browns ran man on 71% of snaps and pressured Rodgers on 42% of his drops, sacking him five times. Steelers receivers must create separation, especially since Rodgers and DK Metcalf have only a 58% completion rate on 21 connects, with seven TDs and three INTs. Former OC Todd Haley warns Metcalf is a “one‑trick pony” reliant on go routes.
Former Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger will co‑lead the Terrible Towel Twirl with Lt. Gen. Robert D. Harter before Sunday’s Steelers‑Browns matchup at Acrisure Stadium, part of the team’s “Salute to Service” event. Roethlisberger, who boasts a 26‑2‑1 career record against Cleveland, still teases the Browns over their 2004 draft decision. The Browns, aiming for a rare season sweep—their first since 1988—insist they’re a different team, with edge rusher Jared Verse and cornerback Denzel Ward emphasizing a fresh start. The pre‑game ceremony adds extra drama to a historic rivalry.
The Cleveland Browns promote 23‑year‑old tight end Carsen Ryan to the active roster for their Week 8 matchup. Ryan’s college journey took him from UCLA to Utah and finally BYU before the Browns selected him with the 248th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 draft. He signed a four‑year, $4.81 million rookie contract with a $432,596 signing bonus and has appeared in six games this season.
Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season brings a crucial Eagles showdown at Washington, where a win moves Philly to 3‑5 and keeps playoff hopes alive (3.7% chance per FTN Fantasy). The guide breaks down which of the other 15 games fans should root for based on draft positioning and future pick swaps – from backing the Cardinals and Titans to climb the 2027 draft order, to supporting the Bills, Browns, and Buccaneers to protect owned picks. It also notes the Eagles’ slim wild‑card odds (0.3%) and previews the upcoming bye week opponents, New Orleans and New York.
The Cleveland Browns announce that veteran offensive tackle Tytus Howard exits concussion protocol and is cleared to start in Week 8’s showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Alongside Howard’s return, the team promotes a practice‑squad player to the active roster on Saturday, boosting depth ahead of the Sunday game. The moves come as the Browns prepare to face their rivals while addressing recent injury concerns.
Week 8 AFC North showdown sees the Cleveland Browns (5-2) travel to Pittsburgh to clash with the Steelers (5-2) for first‑place bragging rights. After a 27-24 win over the Titans, the Browns posted a season‑high 491 offensive yards, highlighted by Quinshon Judkins' 96‑yard, two‑touchdown game. Pittsburgh's defense, ranked 7th in rush allowed and 5th in points, will test the Browns’ run game and force turnovers. Meanwhile, the Ravens (4-3) aim to bounce back at Buffalo with Lamar Jackson back on the field, and the Bengals (4-2) host the Titans after a five‑touchdown surge in Baltimore. Key injuries and recent performances set the stage for a pivotal divisional week.
The Browns face the Steelers on Sunday with pleasant conditions – kickoff at 66°F, rising to 68°F, no rain and only a 5 mph southeast wind. After a warm spell, the game offers ideal weather for Cleveland’s outdoor offense, which thrived in Tennessee last week. The matchup also serves as a chance for the Browns to even the season series before heading to their first dome game in New Orleans, then enjoying four consecutive home games in Cleveland with a bye week, though colder weather and possible snow are expected later.
The Steelers aim to even their series with the Browns on Oct. 31, a win that would clinch sole AFC North lead. Key to success: dominate the short passing game—Aaron Rodgers succeeded with 11‑of‑14 throws under 10 yards against similar single‑high coverage from the Saints—and shut down Cleveland’s short‑pass attack, highlighted by Deshaun Watson’s 27 quick throws for 255 yards. Defensively, Pittsburgh must keep the Browns under 50 rushing yards, limit Quinshon Judkins, and stay in heavy Cover‑Three, where they rank second in pass EPA. A victory would put them at 6‑2 heading into the bye.
The Steelers Depot highlights OLB T.J. Watt as the Steelers' X‑Factor for the upcoming October 31 clash with the Cleveland Browns, emphasizing his impact on the defense and how his pass‑rush presence could tilt the game in Pittsburgh’s favor.
Tony Pollard’s 129‑yard, three‑touchdown effort against Cleveland shows he can shoulder a heavy load, prompting the New York Giants to consider him as a deadline‑day backup amid injuries to Tyrone Tracy Jr. Yet GM Joe Schoen must weigh Pollard’s unknown price against existing assets—Cam Skattebo’s 124‑yard overtime win, Devin Singletary, and practice‑squad signee Gregory Desrosiers—while preserving draft capital for defensive needs. Analyst Ed Valentine flags Pollard as an option, but a trade could cost premium picks, making the Giants’ decision a balance between immediate backfield depth and long‑term roster building.
The Browns face a crucial two‑week window before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10, with the Colts already sellers and the Titans having moved DT Jeffrey Simmons. Cleveland’s remaining slate includes likely buyers like the Steelers (5‑2) and Giants (4‑2), potential sellers such as the Texans (2‑5) and Raiders (3‑4), and uncertain teams like the Saints and Falcons. The Week 17 matchup against the 2‑5 Colts could yield a low‑level target like Mo Allie‑Cox. The article breaks down which opponents are poised to buy, sell, or sit tight, helping fans gauge the Browns’ trade strategy.
The Cleveland Browns sit 5-2 atop the AFC North, yet fans fret over edge pressure despite the team’s strong pass rush. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg’s scheme has produced 20 sacks and 108 pressures—surpassing last year’s 18 sacks and 81 pressures when Myles Garrett chased the single‑season sack record. The surge comes from interior linemen, with Mason Graham (4) and Maliek Collins (3.5) leading the way, and 11 defenders recording sacks so far. While adding a quick‑edge rusher could help, the current system is already generating havoc and ranking fourth in total defensive EPA. The article debates whether the narrative of a pressure problem holds up against the stats.