Projecting Steelers Inactives for Week 4 at Browns

Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Projecting Steelers Inactives for Week 4 at Browns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jobe Morrison | Last updated Oct 1, 2026 9:09 AM ET

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are set for a Thursday night battle in Cleveland as they take on the Browns to kick off NFL Week 4. Late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, major news broke that Joey Porter Jr. had been traded to the Dallas Cowboys. That leaves the Steelers with an open roster spot heading into Week 4. It is very likely Pittsburgh will elevate a player from the practice squad or sign someone outright.

For now, the Steelers have a game to prepare for and will need to have their ducks in a row by kickoff. The final injury report had already ruled Porter and Rico Dowdle out. Additionally, Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols were both listed as questionable heading into the contest.

Here is a projection of the Steelers’ game-day inactives for Week 4 at Cleveland:

Projected Steelers Week 4 Game-Day Inactives

Other Possibilities: RB Eli Heidenreich, CB Brandin Echols, CB Jalen Ramsey

The Steelers continue to carry four quarterbacks on the roster, with Howard getting the nod as the emergency third quarterback. Additionally, Jobity and Rubio are projected to be inactive, as it is very likely the Steelers will elevate Doneiko Slaughter with Porter now in Dallas. Slaughter has the versatility to play both the slot and boundary, which could lead the Steelers to sign him to the active roster long-term.

Aug 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (13) takes the field to play the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Echols cleared the concussion protocol, but it is not certain that he will play. However, now that he has cleared the protocol, the veteran has enough experience to fill in for Pittsburgh on the fly if needed. Ramsey is dealing with a reported broken wrist. The good news is that the injury does not appear significant enough to keep him out long term. Unfortunately, his status for Week 4 remains very much up in the air.

The Steelers will make their inactives official roughly 1.5 hours before kickoff against the Browns on Thursday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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