Steelers rule out Joey Porter Jr., Rico Dowdle vs. Browns

The Steelers have ruled out cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and running back Rico Dowdle for Thursday night's game against the Browns, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Schefter reported that Porter is out with a back issue. Rapoport also reported that Pittsburgh cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols are questionable, while Cleveland center Elgton Jenkins and guard Teven Jenkins are out.

Porter played 14 games for Pittsburgh in 2025-26, recording 52 total tackles, 35 solo tackles, one sack, one interception and 14 passes defended. His 14 passes defended were the largest coverage-production total among the Steelers players listed in the data. Ramsey, a cornerback in the Keel Stats data, has played three games in 2026-27 and has 17 total tackles, nine solo tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defended. Echols has two total tackles, both solo, in one game this season.

Dowdle has appeared in two games in 2026-27, with 15 rushing attempts for 37 yards. He also has four receptions on seven targets for 28 yards. Pittsburgh enters the game at 2-1, with its offense ranked 28th and its defense fourth in EPA among 32 teams. EPA rankings measure how each unit has performed on expected points added.

Cleveland is also 2-1. The Browns rank 22nd in offensive EPA and 15th in defensive EPA among 32 teams. Elgton Jenkins has played one game in 2026-27 and recorded one total tackle, while Teven Jenkins played one game in 2025-26 and also had one total tackle. The reports did not provide further injury details for Dowdle, Ramsey, Echols or Cleveland's two linemen.