Browns' Maliek Collins Exits Game With Elbow Injury
The defensive tackle walked to the locker room in the second quarter of Cleveland's game at Pittsburgh.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins left the Pittsburgh game with an elbow injury, walking back to the locker room in the second quarter. His return to the game is questionable.
Why it matters
Collins entered the game second on the Browns with 3.5 sacks, making him a key piece of Cleveland's defensive front. The injury comes during the 20th start of his tenure with the team.
Collins has recorded 10 sacks in his two seasons with Cleveland and was second on the team with 3.5 sacks entering the game. The extent of the elbow injury and his availability for upcoming games remain unconfirmed.
The players
Maliek Collins
Maliek Collins is a veteran defensive tackle who signed a two-year, $30 million extension with the Cleveland Browns and has said he hopes Cleveland will be the final stop of his NFL career.
The details
Collins walked back to the locker room following a Steelers field goal drive in the second quarter, and his return is listed as questionable. Collins, 31, signed a two-year, $30 million extension with Cleveland after joining the team in 2025, and last season he played 12 games before a quad injury ended his season.
Timeline
2025: Collins signs a two-year deal with the Browns.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: Collins leaves the Pittsburgh game with an elbow injury.
Season Trajectory
Collins's injury arrives as the Browns rely on a veteran interior pass rusher retained on a multi-year deal, a pattern in which teams in the AFC North have leaned on experienced linemen to anchor defenses. Losing a player with 3.5 sacks in a divisional matchup at Pittsburgh could affect Cleveland's standing in the division race.
Fantasy managers relying on Collins's sack production should monitor his injury designation before the next Browns game. Collins's availability will also affect how Cleveland rotates along its defensive line.
The takeaway
Monitor official Browns injury reports before making lineup or roster decisions tied to Collins's status. Clear updates typically come from the team ahead of each game.
Further reading
Follow more Browns football coverage for updates on the team's defensive line and injury reports.
