Quarterback Kenny Pickett could still play for the Cleveland Browns during Week 1 of the NFL season. But one other former Pittsburgh Steelers player on defense will not.
The Browns waived 17 players as part of their roster cuts Monday. Among the players waived was former Steelers cornerback Darius Rush.
The 25-year-old spent parts of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns in Pittsburgh. The Steelers first signed Rush off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad in October 2023. Rush dressed in three games for the Steelers during 2023.
After playing in two games last season, the Steelers released Rush on October 1.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Rush in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Rush then didn’t make Indianapolis’ roster as a rookie. The Colts waived Rush as part of their roster cuts in August ahead of his first NFL campaign.
A day after getting waived, Rush joined the Chiefs practice squad, where he remained until the Steelers signed him.
Pickett received a much better recent update from the Steelers‘ AFC North rival. Clevelandbrowns.com’s Kelsey Russo reported Sunday Pickett is “expected to be available” for Week 1.
Pickett has been dealing with a hamstring injury for about a month. He didn’t play any preseason snaps for the Browns.
Kenny Pickett on Track to Potentially Serve as QB2 in Week 1
Pickett missed valuable training camp and preseason repetitions for the Browns during late July and August. For that reason, Pickett lost the opportunity to potentially be Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
The Browns named veteran Joe Flacco their starter on August 18.
But Pickett could still be Flacco’s backup despite the fact rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders each provided quality play at times during the preseason.
“With Pickett expected to be back in the mix, [Kevin] Stefanski said they will continue to work through who will serve as the backup quarterback behind QB Joe Flacco for the first game of the regular season. QB Dillon Gabriel assumed that responsibility in the final preseason game against the Rams, as Pickett did not play,” wrote Russo.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was the one who confirmed Pickett could play in Week 1. The Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7.
“I think he will be available Week 1,” Stefanski said. “But he’s getting better every day.”
Browns Release CB Darius Rush
In addition to being one of 17 Browns players waived Monday, Rush was one of four cornerbacks Cleveland released. The Browns also waived cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem, Christian Holmes, and Keenan Isaac.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rush played 21 defensive snaps for the Browns during the 2025 preseason. Of those snaps, 12 of them came in Week 3 versus the Los Angeles Rams.
In five games with the Steelers, Rush posted three combined tackles and one pass defense. All of those statistics came during his three games in 2023.
Rush played 39 defensive snaps and 20 special teams snaps for the Steelers during 2023. During 2024, he only played on special teams (19 snaps).
In college, Rush played four seasons at South Carolina. In 43 career games, he registered 74 combined tackles and 15 pass defenses. Rush also had four tackles for loss, three interceptions and one sack.
Ex-Steelers CB Gets Cut From Browns, Kenny Pickett Gets Positive Injury Update