The Cleveland Browns’ most anticipated game of this young 2026 season started off on a somber note.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham, the Browns’ leader in sacks and tackles for loss through three weeks, left the game during Cleveland’s first defensive series after getting taken to the ground awkwardly on a Pittsburgh running play.
Thursday Night Football sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung said the concern right now is for Graham's left knee.
"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.
The team listed Graham as questionable to return at the end of the first quarter.
Cleveland promptly recorded a sack on Aaron Rodgers after Graham left — Maliek Collins, Graham’s running mate along the interior, dropped the 42-year-old veteran for a 7-yard loss — but Pittsburgh was able to methodically march its way down the field in 17 plays for the game’s first touchdown.
Cleveland doesn’t have a ton of roster depth, and the defensive line was among its problem areas throughout an injury-plagued summer.
The Browns will need some unsung contributors to step up in Graham’s absence.
Mike Hall Jr. could finally get the Browns opportunity he's been waiting for
Collins made a couple of plays after Graham’s departure, but all eyes will be on Mike Hall Jr. for the remainder of this Steelers game — and potentially beyond.
Hall was one of the Browns’ better stories throughout training camp, as he turned heads as an edge rusher late in the preseason. He’s been a rotational defensive tackle in Cleveland’s first three games of the season, and has also seen 10 snaps at defensive end.
Cleveland added depth on the edge behind starters Jared Verse and Isaiah McGuire. Both Sam Williams and Derek Barnett have been contributing. Hall’s role should shift exclusively back to the interior alongside Collins with Graham out.
Hall is already well on pace to see the most playing time of his career. Entering 2026, due mostly to a torn MCL and dislocated knee suffered during the final game of his rookie season, Hall logged just 17 total appearances and three starts in his first two seasons as a pro.
With veteran Kalia Davis on injured reserve, the Browns don’t have much depth behind Hall. The only other defensive tackle who was active for the Steelers game was 2025 undrafted free agent Adin Huntington.
Browns fans have been waiting for Hall to start contributing, and his opportunity just arrived.
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