The Pittsburgh Steelers are closer to playing their next game than playing their last game.

However, Jalen Ramsey's teammates are still amazed by the defensive back's performance on Sunday in a 23-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Despite being listed as questionable because of a hamstring injury, Ramsey had six tackles and recorded the second and third sacks of his 10-year career.

The Steelers are doing everything they can to ensure Ramsey stays healthy for their game against the Bengals on Thursday night at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Ramsey did not practice Monday or Tuesday in advance of a matchup in which the AFC North-leading Steelers (4-1) hold a 2 1/2 -game lead over the second-place Bengals (2-4)

The Steelers can't wait to see what's next from Ramsey.

"It's certainly a shining example of what professional football is about," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "But I doubt that any of us are surprised by it. Just having been around him since he's gotten here, that's very consistent behavior with what he's displayed throughout. And personally, for a guy like me who has scouted him since he was at Florida State, I certainly know that's a component of his football character."

The Steelers are Ramsey's fourth team. He was a first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 and has made stops with the Los Angeles Rams, where he won a Super Bowl in 2021, and the Miami Dolphins.

Ramsey has worn out his welcome with some teams, and the Dolphins traded him, along with tight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick, to the Steelers in the offseason for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.

Yet Ramsey is popular with his new teammates.

"I just can't say enough about the level of respect I have for him," Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "If there was any question about the type of person that he is – take away the incredible player – but the person and teammate, I think he just showed all of us the kind of guy that he is by going out there and playing."