The Pittsburgh Steelers have issued their first injury report of the week ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Per the team, eight players failed to practice Wednesday: CB Darius Slay (concussion), CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring/knee), ILB Cole Holcomb (illness), EDGE Alex Highsmith (pec), and OT Broderick Jones (groin). Sitting out due to rest were TE Jonnu Smith, EDGE T.J. Watt, and DL Cam Heyward.
Veteran OG Isaac Seumalo (pec) was limited after missing all of last week. Elsewhere, WR Scotty Miller (finger) and SS Jabrill Peppers (quad) were full practice participants.
Steelers’ Week 11 Wednesday Injury Report
DNP
TE Jonnu Smith (rest)
OT Broderick Jones (groin)
DL Cam Heyward (rest)
EDGE T.J. Watt (rest)
EDGE Alex Highsmith (pec)
ILB Cole Holcomb (illness)
CB Darius Slay (concussion)
CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring/knee – remains on injured reserve)
Limited
OG Isaac Seumalo (pec)
Full
WR Scotty Miller (finger)
DB Jabrill Peppers (quad)
Slay was the only notable known injury the Steelers suffered in their Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He was concussed after teammate SS Kyle Dugger collided with him while making a tackle. Slay was helped off the field and taken to the locker room before being ruled out with a concussion. He’ll need to pass through the multiple steps of protocol to be cleared to play in Week 11. If not, James Pierre, who has played well this season, will see a large role against the Bengals. The fact Slay wasn’t able to work in a limited session today is a discouraging sign for him to be cleared by the weekend.
It appears Highsmith and Jones were nicked up during the Chargers game. Tomlin didn’t mention either by name during his Tuesday press conference and the injuries may not threaten their availability Sunday. Still, they’re worth watching on Thursday’s report. Jones has taken every snap at left tackle this season.
Seumalo is angling to return after missing Week 10 with a pec injury. He first suffered the injury in Week 8 and fought to return in Week 9. But he was unable to finish the game.
During his Tuesday press conference, Mike Tomlin expressed optimism about Seumalo’s return. If not, Spencer Anderson will start at left guard. Against the Chargers, Anderson retained his sixth offensive lineman role with Andrus Peat subbing in at left guard. NFL rules required Anderson to sit out one play after he was done reporting eligible.
Peppers and Miller are also attempting to play after missing the last two games while Holcomb’s status remains hazy. Peppers and Miller suffered practice injuries while Holcomb has been absent with an undisclosed illness. Yesterday, Holcomb was honored as Pittsburgh’s 2025 Ed Block Courage Award winner but being able to attend that event didn’t extend to him practicing today. Still, Tomlin left the door open for Holcomb to rejoin his teammates sometime during the week.
Rookie QB Will Howard was oactivated from injured reserve Wednesday and is fully healthy. He no longer has to be listed on the Steelers’ injury report. Trice remains the only IR player whose window remains open. He suffered a knee injury in his second practice back. His window closes next Wednesday, and it seems likely the team will keep him on injured reserve the remainder of the season.
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati kick off at 1 PM/EST Sunday.
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