The Steelers’ injury list seems almost as long as their list of healthy players after only two weeks of the season.
Coach Mike Tomlin disclosed yesterday that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a left pectoral muscle injury and will be “limited” in practice, indicating that Mason Rudolph “better be ready” when the team takes on the Bengals on Sunday. Rudolph usually takes the majority of snaps on Wednesdays anyway as Big Ben typically takes a day of rest for the first day of practice each week.
Linebackers TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Devin Bush, along with cornerback Joe Haden, all have groin injuries. Nose tackle Tyson Alualu is out long-term after having ankle surgery, and wide receiver Diontae Johnson has a knee injury.
Tomlin says the Steelers have the personnel “in-house” and the time to prepare them for the game on Sunday.
The Steelers’ run game has been the victim of an offensive line that has played very poorly in the first two games. Tomlin says that like his young linemen, rookie running back Najee Harris is also learning the NFL game.
Defensive end Taco Charlton has gone from being drafted two slots ahead of TJ Watt in 2017 to a journeyman released by three NFL teams. His journey has brought him to Pittsburgh after the Steelers signed him yesterday to their practice squad. Charlton was the Cowboys’ top pick in ’17 and played there for two years. After his release by Dallas, he played for a season with the Dolphins and then last year with the Chiefs. The chance with the Steelers comes after Tyson Alualu broke his ankle Sunday against the Raiders.
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