Steelers Lose Two Defensive Backs Before First-Place Showdown With Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday without cornerback Brandin Echols or defensive back Doneiko Slaughter. Neither practiced all week, and both were ruled out Friday with hamstring injuries.

Both teams come in at 5-2. CBS has the 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Acrisure Stadium, with Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, and Melanie Collins on the call, and Pittsburgh was a 3.5-point favorite at DraftKings on Friday.

Ben Skowronek, a wide receiver, was limited in all three practices with a calf injury and is questionable. CBS Sports lists Week 10 as the expected return for Echols and Slaughter.

Alex Highsmith's groin has nagged him for two weeks, enough to hold him to limited work Wednesday and Thursday, but he went full on Friday and carries no designation.

"I'll be good for the game," Highsmith said. "Just taking care of me this week, but I'll be fine."

His last sack came in Week 2 against New England, a week after he got to Atlanta's quarterback. Pro Football Focus still has his 15.5% pass-rush win rate 14th among qualified edge defenders, with 21 pressures inside the top 20 at the position.

Spencer Fano, Cleveland's 21-year-old rookie left tackle, allowed him one pressure on 21 pass-rushing snaps in the first meeting.

That one went to the Browns, 27-24, on Oct. 1, with five sacks and two interceptions of Aaron Rodgers.

"It's a get-back game for us," Highsmith explained. "They're coming to our house now. At the end of the day, this is a battle for first place in the AFC North, so we know how big of a game it is. It's going to be physical. I'm excited for it, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Jalen Ramsey has not missed a competitive rep since breaking his wrist in Week 3. He took Wednesday off and was a full participant the next two days.

"Another game," Ramsey said. "We can learn from our last game against them, but it's been a few weeks, and I feel like we're a different team. We've grown in ways that we've needed to, PG's on the field now. There's just a lot of things that are different from that time to this time."

T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and tight end Darnell Washington each got a rest day Wednesday before two full practices.

Pittsburgh is in its first season under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

"Just having full control of what's going on on the defensive side the last two weeks, and us collaborating on what we're seeing, what we feel, between me, (inside linebacker) Payton (Wilson) and the safeties and 'Rams' (cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey)," linebacker Patrick Queen said.

Jared Verse, Cleveland's edge rusher, called Pittsburgh's offensive line "dirty" after Week 4. Heyward fired back this week.

"I have a lot of respect there for those guys," Heyward said. "But man, I'm looking forward to this game. These are the type of games you want. It's a five-star matchup because we're in it, as Mike [Tomlin] would say. So bring it on."

Tytus Howard never practiced this week. Cleveland's right tackle is still in the concussion protocol, and Browns coach Todd Monken said the team would know more about him Saturday, with nickelback Myles Harden (hamstring) and safety Daniel Thomas (ankle) also questionable.

Mike Hall Jr. sprained his ankle in the Oct. 1 meeting, rode a cart to the locker room, and came back out to finish the game. The defensive tackle has not played since, and he has no designation for Sunday.

Center Elgton Jenkins and edge rusher Jared Verse missed Wednesday's practice with knee injuries. Neither received a game status. Safety Grant Delpit (neck), rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham (ankle), and linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) were limited early in the week and also have no designation.

Cleveland ran for a season-high 183 yards in last week's road win over the Tennessee Titans. Dawand Jones replaced Howard in that game after the concussion and would start at right tackle again if Howard cannot go.