Browns starting receiver and offensive tackle among those ruled out for Steelers game: Takeaways

BEREA, Ohio -- Jameis Winston heads back into his rematch with the Steelers without one of his starting receivers, and without his starting left tackle.

Receiver Cedric Tillman, who’s fourth on the team with 29 receptions and 339 yards, and tied for second with three touchdown catches, has been ruled out for the second straight game with his concussion, and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. has been ruled out with his knee injury.

Defensive linemen Mo Hurst Jr. (ankle) and Sam Kamara (concussion) have also been ruled out. Three Browns are questionable: Myles Harden (tibia), Juan Thornhill (calf) and Jamari Thrash (shoulder).

With Tillman sidelined, 2022 sixth-round pick Mike Woods II saw his first action since his rookie year Monday night in Denver, catching 3 of 5 targets for 43 yards, including a 16-yarder that converted a third-and-10 and led to a field goal.

Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore also benefitted from the extra targets, with both eclipsing 100 yards. Jeudy, in his return to Denver, caught 9 of 13 targets for a career-high 235 yards, including a 70-yard TD, and Moore caught 8 of 14 targets for 111 yards, the second 100-yard game of his four-year career.

With Wills still idle, Germain Ifedi is expected to make his third straight start at left tackle. It’s significant, because Steelers premier edge rusher Alex Highsmith, who’s missed the past three games with an ankle injury is back this game.

Highsmith, who finished second on the team with 14.5 sacks in 2022, will work mostly over Ifedi while T.J. Watt will work over Jack Conklin.

Two weeks ago, Conklin held Watt, who has a league-high five forced fumbles, sackless.

Stefanski said receiver Kadarius Toney has a chance to be the primary punt returner with Jaelon Darden being waived and picked up by the Seahawks.