The way defensive tackle Mason Graham hobbled off the field and then left the stadium in a knee brace and on crutches, a return to action this season was in doubt.
But the Browns got good news Friday after an MRI. Graham sustained a sprained medial collateral ligament and a sprained ankle Thursday night in a 27-24 win over the Steelers at Huntington Bank Field, the team announced. He’ll be evaluated on a week-to-week basis but is expected to miss only a few weeks.
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Graham went down on Pittsburgh’s first drive. He limped off on his own power, was checked in the medical tent, then went into the locker room.
The No. 5 pick in the draft in 2025 was off to a phenomenal start with four sacks in the first three games.
“He’s a tremendously talented young player that you could see early in the season it all coming together,” coach Todd Monken said Friday morning before the test results were back. “He’s worked awfully hard. He’s not only active and quick, he’s a highly intelligent player, which I think helps him in terms of reading sets, in terms of communication upfront. And he plays with unbelievable effort.
“So it’s a shame for him, but hopefully we’ll get good news.”
They did, and the defense that’s played better during the three-game winning streak should get back a key piece.
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“He’s somebody that works so hard,” defensive end Jared Verse said of Graham after the game. “A lot of you only see the four sacks in three games. Y’all didn’t see how hard he was working. He stayed here the whole OTAs, he stayed here the whole break we had, just working the whole time, trying to come back stronger, faster.
“It hurts a lot. I’m trying to keep my emotions in check. I do love Mason. I’ve only been here a short time, but it’s genuine love.”
Without Graham, the defensive tackle spots were manned by Maliek Collins, Mike Hall Jr. and Adin Huntington. Sam Kamara and Zion Logue are on the practice squad.
Hall exited with an ankle injury vs. the Steelers — he was driven from the sideline to the locker room in a cart — but returned, sacked Aaron Rodgers and was given a game ball by Monken. Collins and Huntington also had sacks.
“Real credit to Mike. He didn’t think he’d be able to come back, and he did,” Monken said. “No. 1, because I think that’s what his teammates mean to him.
“At times he can come across a little rough around the edges but, really, he likes being part of a team. He loves his teammates, he loves being a Cleveland Brown, being from around here. So that was awesome, and then Adin continuing to play, and credit to Jacques (Cesaire) and the defensive staff for having those guys ready to go.”
Hall called the sack “the greatest feeling ever.”
“That’s what you practice for all week, putting together a rush plan, especially a quarterback like A-Rod getting the ball out there quick,” Hall said. “That’s a hard sack to get.
“I was just really thinking like the situation is really bigger than me. So just fighting for my brothers. And also we were only down to two D-tackles.”
Hall left the stadium in a walking boot but said he’ll be ready to face the Jets on Oct. 11.
“Yeah, hell yeah. It’s just something minor, definitely,” he said.
