Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey did not practice on Thursday with an illness, according to the team’s practice report. Ramsey rarely misses practice even for rest, so the illness designation is one that is somewhat concerning.
Still, Ramsey should likely be expected to play against the Cleveland Browns. If he could not, the team would extremely shorthanded at slot cornerback, and could be looking at D’Shawn Jamison coming off the practice squad to slide into that role.
Ramsey is the likely starting slot cornerback against the Browns after incumbent Brandin Echols suffered a groin injury against the Lions. Echols has missed both practices to start the week, which do not paint a promising picture for his availability on Sunday.
Traded for by the Steelers in June, Ramsey was acquired along with tight end Jonnu Smith for star Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Ramsey initially started at outside cornerback and moved into the slot at times, but has played full-time at free safety in recent games as the team’s best option there.
Still, without Echols in the fold, that will bring Chuck Clark back into the starting lineup, and the Steelers badly need Ramsey to suit up against the Browns from a depth chart standpoint.