Mason Graham was the Cleveland Browns’ best player in the month of September, but he exited Thursday night’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1 with concern for his left knee.
On Cleveland’s first defensive series, Graham was driven into the legs of Steelers’ tight end Pat Freiermuth on a run block by center Zach Frazier. Graham twisted awkwardly as he went to the turf and held his face mask with both hands as his left leg was checked by trainers.
Graham walked off the field, and ultimately to the locker room, under his own power. But he was shown grimacing and walking with a limp on the Thursday Night Football broadcast.
Mike Hall Jr., Cleveland’s second-round pick in 2024, replaced Graham during Thursday’s first quarter and will see an uptick in playing time along with Adin Huntington.
Graham was announced as questionable to return by the team at the end of the first quarter. Here are the latest updates on his status for Thursday’s game and beyond:
Mason Graham injury update tracker
Update, 1 p.m., Eastern Time, Thursday, Oct 8: Graham was not spotted by reporters at practice for the second straight game. As expected, he's trending toward being ruled out for Week 5 against the New York Jets.
Update, 12 p.m. Eastern Time, Wednesday, Oct. 7: Graham hasn't been placed on injured reserve, but head coach Todd Monken said he won't practice to start the team's Week 5 prep for Sunday's road game against the New York Jets. "We'll see how it goes for tomorrow," Monken said.
Update, 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday Oct. 2: The results of Graham's MRI revealed a MCL sprain, meaning he will "miss a few weeks," per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
"The MRI revealed some good news, with hopes that it’s not a long-term injury," Rapoport wrote.
Update, 8:29 a.m. Eastern Time, Friday, Oct. 2: NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Graham is set for an MRI on his knee but indicated that the early signs are positive:
"He was able to walk on the sideline, was not carted off, walked to and from the blue tent. That is a good sign. He's going to get an MRI today. Early belief is that he has dodged a bullet and maybe it is not a significant knee injury, and if that is the case, it would be excellent, excellent news for the Cleveland Browns. Cautious optimism probably is the right way to describe it, but the MRI is going to tell all to determine how much time he is going to miss."
Update, 1:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Friday, Oct 2: According to Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Graham left the stadium on crutches wearing a brace on his injured left knee.
Update, 12:15 a.m. Eastern Time, Friday, Oct. 2: During his postgame press conference, Browns head coach Todd Monken said he had no update on Graham's knee injury.
Update, 10:10 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, Oct. 1: Graham will not return to Thursday's game. The team ruled him out as the teams returned for the start of the second half.
Update, 8:45 p.m. Eastern time, Thursday, Oct. 1: TNF sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung gave this update on Graham near the end of the first quarter:
"We saw him hobble in and out of the medical tent grimacing," Hartung said on the broadcast. "He made a quick visit to the X-ray room, and he's still in the locker room. We haven't gotten another look at him.”
Does Mason Graham have a history of knee injuries?
The Browns’ No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 draft hasn’t missed a start due to injury in his young career. He started all 17 games for Cleveland as a rookie, and did the same through the Browns’ first four games this year. He entered Thursday night as the team leader in sacks (4) and tackles for loss (6).
Graham was also a mainstay on the field in college for the Michigan Wolverines, missing just two games in his career due to injury.
This story will be updated as soon as new information is released.
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