Pittsburgh’s outside linebackers accounted for the first and last touchdowns in the Steelers’ 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.

Alex Highsmith returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown on the first snap of the game, then had a strip-sack of Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson, with T.J. Watt scooping up the loose football for a 16-yard TD fumble return for the winning score with 6:58 to play.

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Up from the practice squad, running back Tony Jones Jr. scored his first two NFL touchdowns on a pair of 2-yard carries in the second half as the New Orleans Saints held off the Carolina Panthers 20-17 in the NFL’s other Monday night game.

The Browns suffered more than a loss in the standings against Pittsburgh. Nick Chubb sustained a knee injury in the first minute of the second quarter, and Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game that the four-time Pro Bowl running back will miss the remainder of the season.

Next on the Browns’ running-back depth chart is former Alabama ball-carrier Jerome Ford.

Ford ran for 106 yards on 16 carries and caught three passes for 25 yards and one touchdown on Monday night. Ford entered the game with 48 yards on 23 rushing attempts and no receptions in his NFL career.

His first reception went for a 3-yard touchdown on the play after Chubb was injured, and Ford broke a 69-yard run to the Pittsburgh 1-yard line that set up a touchdown as Cleveland took a 22-19 lead with 10:01 left in the third quarter.

RELATED: JEROME FORD STEPS UP FOR BROWNS WITH HIS FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN

Sixteen players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the NFL’s Week 2 Monday night games:

New Orleans Saints 20, Carolina Panthers 17

· Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama) started at center for the Panthers.

· Panthers guard Deonte Brown (Austin, Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Derrick Brown (Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Panthers. Brown made seven tackles.

· Panthers linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Saints linebacker Terrell Lewis (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Panthers defensive tackle LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama) did not record any stats.

· Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (Hueytown) dressed for the game but did not play.

· Panthers linebacker Chandler Wooten (Auburn) did not record any stats.

· Bryce Young (Alabama) started at quarterback for the Panthers. Young completed 22-of-33 passes for 153 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and ran for 34 yards on two carries. He also lost a fumble. Young connected with wide receiver Adam Thielen on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 1:16 to play, then brought Carolina within three of the lead with a 2-point conversion throw to Thielen.

RELATED: ‘NOBODY’S THROWING IN THE TOWEL’ ON BRYCE YOUNG, PANTHERS AFTER MONDAY NIGHT LOSS

On Sunday, New Orleans (2-0) visits the Green Bay Packers and Carolina (0-2) visits the Seattle Seahawks.

Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Cleveland Browns 22

· Montravius Adams (Auburn) started at nose tackle for the Steelers. Adams made three tackles and forced a fumble. Adams knocked the football away from Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson on a fourth-and-1 run at the Pittsburgh 43-yard line in the first half, and the Steelers recovered.

· Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander (Oxford) led Pittsburgh with nine tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.

· Amari Cooper (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Browns. Cooper had seven receptions for 90 yards even though he had been listed on Cleveland’s injury report as questionable with a groin injury.

· Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (Auburn High) did not record any stats in his second NFL game.

· Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) started at safety for the Steelers. Fitzpatrick made six tackles and broke up two passes. Fitzpatrick left the game with a chest injury, and after the contest, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said the safety had been taken to a hospital for evaluation. Fitzpatrick appeared to sustain the injury when he prevented Jerome Ford from scoring on his long run.

· Najee Harris (Alabama) started at running back for the Steelers. Harris ran for 43 yards on 10 carries and had one reception for no gain.

· Browns offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· George Pickens (Hoover) started at wide receiver for the Steelers. Pickens caught four passes for a career-high 127 yards and one touchdown. Pickens scored on the longest reception of his career – a 71-yarder as Pittsburgh took a 16-11 lead with 6:05 left in the first half.

· Browns wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (Auburn) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Za’Darius Smith (Greenville) started at defensive end for the Browns. Smith recorded one tackle for loss.

· Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Browns. Tomlinson registered two quarterback hits.

· Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace (Alabama) made five tackles.

· Browns wide receiver Austin Watkins (UAB) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama) started at left offensive tackle for the Browns.

· Browns defensive end Alex Wright (Elba, UAB) made one tackle and registered one quarterback hit.

On Sunday, Pittsburgh (1-1) visits the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland (1-1) hosts the Tennessee Titans.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.