The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Per the team, three players will miss this weekend’s game, including two starters: EDGE Alex Highsmith (pec) and CB Darius Slay (concussion) are out as is ILB Cole Holcomb (illness). Highsmith and Holcomb failed to practice Friday while Slay returned in limited fashion. Still, it wasn’t enough to get him cleared out of protocol in time.
OG Isaac Seumalo (pec) and CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring/knee) are questionable. Both failed to practice Friday.
No other players carry game statuses. WR DK Metcalf was limited Friday due to rest while the rest of the team practiced in full. That includes OT Broderick Jones, who practiced fully and will play despite a groin injury. SS Jabrill Peppers (quad) and WR Scotty Miller (finger) worked in full all week and will also be available this weekend.
Steelers’ Week 11 Friday Injury Report
DNP
OG Isaac Seumalo (pec – Questionable)
EDGE Alex Highsmith (pec – Out)
ILB Cole Holcomb (illness – Out)
CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring/knee – questionable/Remains on Injured Reserve)
Limited
WR DK Metcalf (rest – No Game Status)
CB Darius Slay (concussion – Out)
Full
WR Scotty Miller (finger – No Game Status)
TE Jonnu Smith (rest – No Game Status)
OT Broderick Jones (groin – No Game Status)
DL Cam Heyward (rest – No Game Status)
EDGE T.J. Watt (rest – No Game Status)
SS Jabrill Peppers (quad – No Game Status)
Slay is out after failing to move through concussion protocol quickly enough. He suffered the head injury after taking friendly fire from teammate SS Kyle Dugger during last Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. With Jalen Ramsey staying at safety, Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols, and James Pierre will be tasked with covering the Bengals’ top wideouts. All three will have their hands full, though Pierre is playing the best football of his career.
The fact Slay practiced in limited fashion Friday suggests he could be ready for Week 12’s game against Chicago.
Seumalo will attempt to play after missing last week with an ongoing pec injury. Jones will start after dealing with a groin injury that’s nagged him since the first week of training camp. Seumalo failing to practice Friday is a discouraging sign but he may give it a go in warmups. If he can’t play, Spencer Anderson will start while Andrus Peat is expected to sub in at left guard in moments where Anderson is the sixth offensive lineman.
Highsmith failed to practice all week with a pec injury, one that Mike Tomlin didn’t mention during his Tuesday press conference. With four sacks in his last two games, it’s a serious loss for the defense. Still, Nick Herbig is the best No. 3 in the NFL and will start. Jack Sawyer will see increased snaps. Holcomb has battled an illness for two weeks and failed to practice after returning in limited fashion yesterday. Malik Harrison will snag more snaps as the team’s third inside linebacker.
Miller and Peppers will be available after missing the past two games. Miller has just one catch on the season and isn’t even guaranteed to be active while Dugger is expected to start at strong safety, leaving Peppers in a backup role. Peppers could resume his role as the personal protector on the punt team, allowing Ben Skowronek to shift back out to gunner.
Trice hasn’t practiced in two weeks. Pittsburgh labels all IR-to-return players as questionable at the end of each week but there’s no belief Trice will be activated this weekend. His window closes Wednesday and he is likely out for the season.
Smith, Watt, Metcalf, and Heyward received rest throughout the week. All three will play.
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati kickoff Sunday at 1 PM/EST.
Recommended for you