As the second half began, leading 21-10 against the Steelers in Week 4, the Browns' defense had an impressive sequence defending RB Jaylen Warren.
On first down, DE Jared Verse bottled Warren up for a tackle for loss on a pitch to the left. DT Maliek Collins and LB Carson Schwesinger then teamed up to take down Warren for only a 1-yard gain on another pitch on second down. And on third-and-10, LB Quincy Williams blanketed Warren in coverage to cause an incompletion and force a three-and-out.
The three-play sequence was a microcosm for how the Steelers have relied on Warren this season and the way the Browns are looking to defend him when they travel to Pittsburgh on Nov. 1 for the second divisional matchup. This season, Warren ranks fourth in the NFL with 855 yards from scrimmage and is seventh in the NFL with 561 rushing yards. He is also Pittsburgh's second leading receiver this season with 294 yards on 24 receptions.
On Warren's two carries in that second-half sequence, the Browns' defense quickly tracked the ball, with multiple defenders either tackling him or in strong position to make a play. After Warren recorded 10 carries for 61 yards in the first half, the Browns' defense limited him to seven carries for 32 yards over the final two quarters in Week 4. Aggressively pursuing Warren, in the run game as well as the pass game, will be critical to containing his explosiveness in Week 8, Schwesinger emphasized.
"You just always have to be aware of him," Schwesinger said. "He's very good at finding space after protecting in the pass game. So just making sure that you're still close to him and you don't give him a lot of space in the pass game. And everyone swarming whenever he touches the ball."
The Steelers' offense has relied heavily on Warren this season, as he has 126 touches — 82 more than any other player for Pittsburgh. In Week 7, Warren recorded a season-high 18 carries that turned into his third 100-yard rushing game in 2026. When Warren has rushed for over 100 yards this season, the Steelers are 3-0. But in the four games he hasn't been able to hit that mark, including Week 4, Pittsburgh is just 2-2.
To force the Steelers' offense to turn to their other playmakers, the Browns are focusing their attention on limiting what has made Warren efficient on the ground. Warren's 5.5 yards per carry ranks third amongst running backs in the NFL this season, according to ESPN. Verse noted how the Steelers have been effective at creating holes for Warren, which the Browns' defensive line is looking to directly counter to slow him down.
"I think they have been causing a lot of displacement up front," Verse said. "They've been able to get movement up front, get a little separation and open those A-gaps, B-gaps and sometimes it will open the C-(gaps). And he's able to bounce into those gaps and get going. Our goal is to get that knock back on them. Lower those gaps and make them small so he has to bounce outside to us or go inside to Q(uincy) Williams. And if he goes into Q, I'll take Q every time."
As they prepare to face Warren, the Browns' defense understands the challenge in front of them but remains focused on their execution and continuing to operate at a high level.
"He's a great running back," DT Adin Huntington said. "A lot of great NFL running backs have their strengths and a lot of them have weaknesses. But we're just going to continue to trust the plan that we have. We're going to play to the standard set forth to us by (Mike Rutenberg) and Jacques (Cesaire). And we're just going to do what we can and play with great effort."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Austin Barber (58) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) and Defensive end Logan Fano (99) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The running backs and Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The linebackers during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Williams (54) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Special Teams Coordinator Byron Storer during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Audric Estime (36) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Audric Estime (36) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during practice on October 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Special Teams Coordinator Byron Storer and Assistant Wide Receivers Coach John Wozniak during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A football during practice on October 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
