Cleveland Browns starting center Elgton Jenkins entered the concussion protocol after Sunday’s 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers and is a serious doubt for Thursday night’s AFC North matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The team listed Jenkins as a non-participant on Monday’s estimated injury report following a walk-through only practice. NFL concussion protocol on a short week makes clearance by kickoff on Thursday Night Football extremely difficult.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported: “Browns starting center Elgton Jenkins landed in the concussion protocol after Sunday’s 21-18 victory over the Panthers, and might not be able to face the Steelers here on Thursday Night Football. … It would be a big blow for a Browns offensive line that’s still coming together, and a tough assignment for a backup against the Steelers’ stout defensive line, including veteran tackle Cam Heyward.”
The Browns improved to 2-1 with the home win and sit in a four-way tie in the AFC North. They host the 2-1 Steelers at Huntington Bank Field in the first division game of the season.
Jenkins signed a two-year, $24 million contract in March after the Green Bay Packers released him. The deal includes $15 million in guarantees. The 30-year-old former Pro Bowl guard moved to center for Cleveland and has started all three games.
Through 179 offensive snaps this season, Jenkins has allowed zero sacks, zero quarterback hits and zero total pressures while committing zero penalties, according to Pro Football Focus. His pass-blocking grade ranks first among qualified centers.
None of the five offensive linemen who started Week 3 played for the Browns in 2025. Jenkins has been the most consistent piece on a completely rebuilt unit that also includes first-round left tackle Spencer Fano and free agent left guard Zion Johnson.
Jenkins’ brother, right guard Teven Jenkins, remains out with a lingering back injury that has kept him from playing in the first three games. Wide receiver Tylan Wallace also did not participate Monday because of a knee injury suffered Sunday.
If Elgton Jenkins cannot play, the Browns would turn to either veteran Luke Wypler or fifth-round rookie Parker Brailsford. Wypler started the final five games of 2025 after Ethan Pocic’s Achilles injury. Brailsford, an Alabama product listed as the second-string center on the unofficial depth chart, has been inactive the first three weeks after a thumb injury in camp.
Starting Brailsford at center alongside rookie Austin Barber at right guard and Fano at left tackle would put three rookies on the offensive line against Pittsburgh’s front. That group includes veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward and star pass rusher T.J. Watt.
The Browns’ line already committed seven pre-snap penalties Sunday, including five on one first-half drive. Coach Todd Monken called the mistakes “embarrassing” and said they must be cleaned up quickly.
Jenkins played every snap against Carolina, so the exact timing of the concussion is unclear. Clearing the protocol typically requires a multi-day process that includes rest, evaluation and a return-to-practice progression that is hard to complete in three days.
Cleveland’s rebuilt line was already facing questions about cohesion and run blocking. Losing its highest-paid interior lineman for a prime-time rivalry game would test the unit further.
The Steelers bring a physical defensive line that has pressured quarterbacks at a high rate this season. A backup center would face a steep assignment in protecting Deshaun Watson and creating running lanes for Quinshon Judkins.
Browns officials have not ruled Jenkins out officially, but the combination of the concussion protocol and the short week leaves little room for optimism. Practice reports later in the week will provide the next update.
