Injuries piling up for Steelers
PITTSBURGH — The chaotic ending will live on in infamy. The carnage that came before it, however, could have just as significant an impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season.
The ugly confrontation between Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett and Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph on the final play of the Browns’ 21-7 victory last Thursday— an altercation that culminated with Garrett drilling Rudolph in the head with Rudolph’s own helmet, a swing that resulted in Garrett being suspended indefinitely by the NFL — provided a chilling flashpoint that reverberated far beyond the 120 miles that separate the longtime AFC North rivals.
Rudolph insisted in the aftermath that he’s fine. Maybe, but the Steelers (5-5) most certainly are not.
Not with wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson both dealing with concussions sustained following illegal helmet-to-helmet hits by Cleveland defensive backs. Not with running back James Conner aggravating a shoulder injury that could keep him out an extended period. Not with center Maurkice Pouncey facing a three-game ban for punching and kicking Garrett while attempting to retaliate for Garrett’s swipe at Rudolph.
Even when healthy, Pittsburgh’s offense has been a mixed bag with Rudolph under center after Ben Roethlisberger was lost for the season in September because of a right elbow injury. Now the Steelers face the prospect of moving forward without their top running back, two of their top three receivers and one of the best centers in the league.
“Just injuries wearing us down a little bit,” guard David DeCastro said. “That’s part of the game when you’re losing guys and stuff. It’s a player-driven league, it really is. I wish I had a better answer for you. Injuries are tough.”
And, for the Steelers this season, relentless.
Smith-Schuster and Johnson are both in the concussion protocol, their status for Sunday’s visit to winless Cincinnati (0-10) uncertain. Conner’s setback could be potentially longer term, another staggering blow to an offense that ranks in the bottom 10 in the league in both points and total yards. Yet just as troubling, however, is the play of the offensive line.
Save for a concussion that cost veteran guard Ramon Foster two games last month, Pittsburgh’s line has been relatively healthy. While the group had done a solid job protecting Rudolph before the Browns took him down four times — the Steelers entered the game having allowed the fewest sacks in the league — it has struggled to generate any significant push in short-yardage situations.
Seven times against Cleveland the Steelers faced a third or fourth downs with 2 yards to go or less. They only converted one of them, a 2-yard quarterback sneak by Rudolph. The other six plays featured five incompletions and a 1-yard loss by running back Trey Edmunds, who began the season on the practice squad but now finds himself second on the depth chart.
“We’ve just got to execute,” running back Jaylen Samuels said. “When they send pressure on third downs, we’ve got to pick it up with our pass protection. Receivers have got to make tough catches.”
