Miles Killebrew injury update: Steelers safety leaves game vs. Cleveland Browns

In the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Steelers safety Miles Killebrew suffered a knee injury. He was carted to the locker room and will reportedly not return to the game.

The injury occurred when Killebrew attempted to chase down the Browns’ return man on a kickoff. Killebrew planted his foot before lifting it off the ground and grabbing at his knee.

Killebrew is an NFL veteran and has been with the Steelers since 2021. He has thrived in Pittsburgh. In the 2023 campaign, Killebrew made 17 appearances for the Steelers, tallying 26 tackles and a safety.

For his efforts, he was named a First-Team All-Pro and selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Killebrew earned a Pro Bowl nod again in the 2024 campaign. He has been a special teams team captain for the Steelers since 2022.

Killebrew showed off his leadership attributes earlier this season when rookie kick returner Kaleb Johnson made a pivotal mistake. Johnson allowed a kickoff to bounce over his head into the end zone early in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks instead of fielding it.

Johnson believed the play would result in a touchback, but the ball was live and the Seahawks recovered it for a touchdown en route to a 31-17 victory. After the game, Killebrew didn’t criticize Johnson for the loss, but empathized with the former Iowa standout.

“He’s got to have short-term memory, for sure”, Killebrew said of Johnson. “We all have parts of our game that we wish we had back. Otherwise we would have come out with the victory, if we all played perfectly. He’s just got to put his head down and continue to work. It requires a certain level of humility, which I know he has. I’m confident in his ability to go out there and get it done.”

Now, Miles Killebrew will need Kaleb Johnson and his fellow Steelers to support him in return. As of this report, the Steelers lead the Browns 9-3 at halftime.

With a win, the Pittsburgh Steelers would improve 4-1 on the season. The team signed legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, and the 41-year-old standout has had a hot start to the season.

Of course, the Steelers’ defense has played a large role in the team’s success as well. The Steelers boast a +7 turnover differential this season, the second-best in the NFL.