Tomlin Gives Early Injury Updates for Steelers vs. Raiders
The Pittsburgh Steelers played a beleaguered Dallas Cowboys team in Week 5, but fell short in a heartbreaking 20-17 loss. On Sunday, they’ll get a chance to redeem themselves and end the two-game skid against a Las Vegas Raiders team barely staying afloat.
Pittsburgh will travel to Sin City as quarterback Justin Fields plays for his right to remain atop the depth chart. But the Steelers won’t be heading west at their healthiest. On Tuesday, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to reports and outlined who had already been ruled out for Sunday’s festivities.
The early news isn’t kind to Pittsburgh. Highsmith is the Robin to T.J. Watt’s Batman, but Herbig has been impeccable in his absence and as a third edge rusher. It’s hard to stop Watt on any given Sunday. But if the Raiders have any chance at limiting his potential carnage, being able to focus on one edge rushers instead of two or three is probably the most likely path.
Patterson’s absence may loom large, too. He’s been Pittsburgh’s most explosive rusher, and with Warren doubtful for Sunday, the Steelers are likely headed for another day of the running back Najee Harris getting the lion’s share of the work.
Given the recent struggles of the ground game, that shouldn’t be overlooked in either the short- or long-term. Fields hasn’t had to prove himself from the pure dropback game – aside from two quarters against the Indianapolis Colts – and another poor performance could be his last as a starter.
The Steelers are banged up, but they’re favored by a field goal anyway. If this team is as strong as its September showcased, overcoming injuries is a necessity. They’ll have that chance on Sunday.
Steelers Have Ruled Out a ‘laundry list’ of Players for Week 6 Matchup with the Raiders
As the Raiders prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 of the NFL season they are once again battling to get back to .500 as they currently sit at 2-3. While the Raiders are game planning they’ll have to be digging deep to get information on some backups as the Steelers deal with a “laundry list” of injuries according to coach Mike Tomlin. So far four players have been ruled out for the Steelers as first reported by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. The ruled out players are edge rusher Nick Herbig, defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal, running back Cordarrelle Patterson, and edge Alex Highsmith
