CLEVELAND — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts took a blow to the head on a goal line play in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Roberts was slow to get up and was assisted off the field by the team’s medical staff.
It’s unclear of what injury Roberts suffered. Roberts did not go into the blue medical tent and was standing on the sideline with his helmet, so it appears he’s OK.
Two plays later, Browns quarterback Jameis Winston scrambled for a 2-yard touchdown to enhance the Browns’ lead. Winston also connected to tight end David Njoku to make it an 18-6 game.
Roberts was the second Steelers’ player to leave Thursday night’s game with an injury. Wide receiver Van Jefferson left with a quad injury. Jefferson was injured on a four-yard reception which wound up two yards shy of a first down. He was upended on a tackle by the Browns’ Ronnie Hickman.
Jefferson returned and caught a 35-yard pass from Russell Wilson to set up a 28-yard Chris Boswell field goal in the third quarter, which cut Cleveland’s lead to 10-6.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts was confident that the defense could stop the Browns on a short week. So far, it’s been a lackluster performance against Cleveland.
“We’re just out here playing team defense,” Roberts said. “We’re able to cause havoc any given Sunday, Thursday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, whatever day the game falls on.”
The Steelers escaped Sunday’s 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens relatively healthy, as nose tackle Keeanu Benton (knee) was the only player to leave the game with an injury. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. left the game twice due to a shin contusion but returned both times. Benton and Porter were both healthy for Thursday night’s game.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Cleveland. Aaron Becker also contributed reporting for this story.