A former defensive back of the Pittsburgh Steelers could soon join their AFC North rival.
The Cleveland Browns worked out former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Israel Mukuamu on Friday, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson of Houston's KPRC2 .
#Browns worked out Dontae Manning, Israel Mukuamu, Mekhi Rodgers, Zelmar Vedder
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 9, 2026
Mukuamu, 26, was released by the Steelers after he got injured during the team's practice on Aug. 15.
The Steelers signed Mukwuamu earlier that month. He had a sack for a loss of 12 yards in the Steelers' preseason win over the Green Bay Packers.
Mukuamu was a sixth round pick for Mike McCarthy 's Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. A 6-foot-4, 215-pound safety, Mukuamu has mostly been a special teams player in his five-year NFL career.
He appeared in four games as rookie with Dallas in 2021, and then became a regular in 2022, when he appeared in 15 contests and also made three starts. He became a key multi-phase special teamer for the Cowboys, working on kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage and field goal block units.
Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu (24) celebrates after an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025. — Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In 2024, he set a career high with 200 snaps on defense, playing as a slot cornerback, box safety, free safety and outside cornerback. He was targeted 15 times and allowed nine catches while making two interceptions, for a 46.7 passer rating against, per Pro Football Focus .
Despite that season, Mukuamu was released by the Cowboys last August. He caught on with the Carolina Panthers' practice squad and played in one game before being released in November.
Mukuamu was selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft but did not play in a game for the team.
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