The Pittsburgh Steelers released their official inactive list Sunday ahead of an AFC North rematch with the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. Kickoff at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh is set for 1:00 PM ET, and the Steelers will once again be short-handed at a position that has been tested all season long.
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Brandon Smith on the field for the Steelers during the 2026 season.
Pittsburgh announced six inactives about 90 minutes before kickoff, according to the official inactives report on Steelers.com. Here is the full list:
- Ben Skowronek, wide receiver
- Drew Allar, quarterback
- Will Howard, quarterback (emergency third quarterback)
- Brandin Echols, cornerback
- Eli Heidenreich, running back
- Doneiko Slaughter, defensive back
The biggest takeaway is at receiver. Skowronek was listed as questionable on the team's final injury report of the week with a calf injury after being limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. He will not suit up Sunday, and that leaves an already thin group even thinner. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson are both on the Reserve/Injured List.
The Steelers added depth on Saturday. Pittsburgh signed Brandon Smith to the 53-man roster from the practice squad, a move SteelerNation broke down when the Steelers rewarded a valuable receiver with a roster spot before this game. Smith had been elevated for the Week 5, Week 6 and Week 7 games, and he caught two passes for 24 yards against the New Orleans Saints, including a career-long 20-yard reception.
The team also elevated receiver Brandon Johnson from the practice squad for Sunday's game. He will revert to the practice squad afterward. Johnson has played in 23 career NFL games, starting three, with 26 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns.
Steelers Will Lean On Young Depth Against The Browns
The secondary is also missing two pieces. Echols and Slaughter were both ruled out on Friday with hamstring injuries after missing practice all week. Their absence puts more on the shoulders of safety DeShon Elliott, who returned against the Saints and played 19 snaps, 33 percent of the defensive snaps, in his first action of the 2026 season.
"I'm just happy I'm healthy," Elliott said. "I'm going to play wherever they need me, when they need me to play, whatever role that's going to be."
Safety Jaquan Brisker has also been a steady presence. "We talk about availability is the most important ability," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "You see him more and more comfortable with what we're asking him to do, and I think some of the calls reflect that."
At quarterback, Allar and Howard are both inactive, with Howard designated as the emergency third quarterback. Neither player appeared on the final injury report, and the team did not give a reason for either decision. Under NFL rules, the emergency third quarterback can only enter the game if the two active quarterbacks are unable to play.
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Will Howard and Drew Allar warming up for the Steelers during the 2026 season.
Running back Heidenreich is also inactive. He was not listed on the final injury report, and no official reason was given.
Up front on defense, the Steelers remain without defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and Sebastian Joseph-Day, who are both on the Reserve/Injured List. Rookie defensive linemen Gabriel Rubio and Kevin Jobity Jr. are expected to step up again.
"Gabe comes as advertised: stout versus the run, plays with his hands, hustles his butt off in terms of getting to the quarterback when he can," Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham said.
For Cleveland, quarterback Dillon Gabriel is the emergency third quarterback, and quarterback Taylen Green, linebacker Justin Jefferson, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, running back Audric Estime and center Parker Brailsford are also inactive. Offensive tackle Tytus Howard, who was listed as questionable with a concussion, is not on the Browns' inactive list.
With depth being tested at receiver and in the secondary, the Steelers will need their next men up to deliver in a divisional game that will shape the AFC North race.
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