The Pittsburgh Steelers won their Week 6 matchup over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday by a score of 23-9. It was a convincing win for the Steelers as many fans were worried about falling into the trap that is being the favorite in a AFC North battle, but Pittsburgh was able to score three points on its first possession of the game and the group never relinquished the lead. It was a great day for the team as it was able to grow its lead in the division, but unfortunately the group had to watch one of its leaders go down as Miles Killebrew suffered a significant knee injury.
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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew jogs off the field the field following an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Killebrew went down in the first half of the game against Cleveland near the end of the second quarter. The veteran was running down the field on kickoff when he suffered a non-contact knee injury, which is usually never good. No major details have been released yet, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin has remained consistent in stating that the injury is significant, which usually means Killebrew will likely be out for the remainder of the 2025 season. Tomlin spoke more about the injury while speaking with the media on Monday.
"He's our captain," Tomlin said. "But you guys know the motto that we live by. We can certainly hurt for him as a man, and as a teammate and a brother and individual. But from a football perspective, one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity. We certainly have some capable people, and there's an expectation that others step up and fill in the gaps."
The veteran is listed on the depth chart as a safety, but he is only there for depth in case of emergency. He is primarily a special teamer, and he is one of the best in the league in that regard. He was a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons and he was named an All-Pro in 2023. He is also a team captain for the Steelers, which shows his importance in the locker room.
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Steelers safety Miles Killebrew makes a punt block in Week 1, 2021 against the Buffalo Bills.
Killebrew has been reliable when it comes to making tackles on special teams, and he has also been known to be a threat when it comes to blocking punts as well. His presence is going to be missed on the field as his knee injury will likely keep him out for a large chunk of time, but Tomlin is confident that he has other players on the team that can step up in his absence. Notable names who already play special teams and have made a great impact include Ben Skowronek and Connor Heyward, as both have made multiple big plays in that phase of the game.
The Steelers could also look to another veteran safety to come through and make some plays on special teams. Chuck Clark is an experienced veteran who might be able to make some splash plays in that phase of the game, and he was inactive in Week 6. The opening on special teams could be a way for him to earn a helmet on game days.
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Steelers' Jack Sawyer celebrates after making a play while defending the run against the Seattle Seahawks in 2025.
Steelers Have A Pair Of Rookies Looking To Make Plays On Special Teams
On special teams, the Steelers have entrusted a pair of rookies with roles. Jack Sawyer and Carson Bruener have both been active in special teams, and both have been in on tackles to begin the 2025 season. They are two young guys that will be expected to step up now that Killebrew could be out for the remainder of the season. Special teams is an often forgotten part of the game for most casual fans, but it is extremely important and it is not something to take lightly.
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