Giving Browns DT Mike Hall Jr. even more retroactive respect for Week 4’s sack

As the Cleveland Browns get ready to travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans in Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season, the top of the AFC North continues to belong to the orange and brown. Injuries, including DT Mike Hall Jr. being out this week, continue to be a big variable for the Browns and their opponents.

All the positivity heading into Week 7 wasn’t as strong if we look back to when Hall, along with DT Mason Graham, were injured in Week 4 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.

Graham is expected to return in Week 7 after getting injured early in Week 4 and being ruled out after halftime. Just before the intermission, Hall injured his ankle, was helped off the field, and then carted into the locker room. Cleveland (and Pittsburgh) fans know what happened next for the former Ohio State defensive lineman:

Hall later said he knew his teammates needed him with Graham out for the game.

From being carted off the field to exploding for a huge third-down sack that pushed the Steelers out of field goal range, Hall’s impact was appreciated after a game where the score (27-24) might have been decided, partially, by his return and big sack.

Since that game, Hall is set to miss his third straight contest. While that may be frustrating to some Browns fans, it also puts his Week 4 return into context. Running off of adrenaline and knowing what his teammates needed, Hall not only returned to the field but made a huge impact, while dealing with an ankle injury that will have needed a month off, at least, between games played.

Three weeks later, it is clear that Hall’s ankle injury was and is significant. That adds even more respect to his Week 4 return and play.