Steelers Take On the Browns in Monday Night Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers hope to rebound after their Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers while the Cleveland Browns aim to go undefeated into Week 3.

Dominating Defense

keeping the offense guessing @Flash_Garrett | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/kgBFMuO9VW

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 16, 2023

The Cleveland defense shut down the Cincinnati Bengals in their Week 1 win last Sunday.

Quarterback Joe Burrow threw for a career-low 82 yards. They simultaneously held Joe Mixon to 56 rushing yards and Ja’Marr Chase to five receptions for 39 yards.

Cleveland’s Myles Garrett and Ogbo Okoronkwo both recorded a sack in the game. Garrett, who’s played with Cleveland for his entire NFL career, is a powerhouse on defense. Last year, he had 37 solo tackles and 16 sacks, proving to the rest of the league that he is a force to be reckoned with. Okoronkwo previously played with the Houston Texans in which he had five sacks and one forced fumble. The Steelers have to prepare for both players if they hope to remain competitive in tonight’s game.

Bouncing Back

Kenny Pickett on bouncing back from Week 1, preparing for the Browns and more. @edgarsnyder pic.twitter.com/p3BQEzYAok

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 13, 2023

Injuries

Browns’ WR Amari Cooper, who aggravated a groin injury at practice Saturday and is listed as questionable for Monday night, is considered unlikely to play vs. the Steelers, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2023

Both the Browns and the Steelers will be missing players going into tonight’s game.

The Browns listed Amari Cooper, Siaki Ika and Juan Thornhill as questionable. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, wide receiver Amari Cooper is unlikely to play after a groin injury he suffered at Saturday’s practice. Cooper played all 17 games last season, recording 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns. With Cooper out, the Browns will have to rely on Elijah Moore and David Njoku to put pressure on the Steelers’ defense. As Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported, Thornhill was listed as questionable after a calf injury. Thornhill played 16 out of last year’s 17 regular season games with 3 interceptions and 1 sack.

The Steelers will be missing Cameron Heyward, Diontae Johnson and Anthony McFarland Jr.  The team placed Cameron Heyward on the injured reserve on Thursday. Last year, he had 10.5 sacks and 35 assisted tackles. The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported that Johnson would be out due to a hamstring injury. Last year, Johnson recorded 882 yards and 86 receptions. The Steelers will rely on George Pickens and Allen Robinson to fill the void left by Johnson.