Report: Steelers Hopeful Bush, Haden Will Must Just One Game with Groin Injuries

Alan Saunders |

Sep 19, 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) trains at Heinz Field during the Steelers 2020 Training Camp, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers hope that the absences of inside linebacker Devin Bush Jr. and cornerback Joe Haden will be of the one-week variety, according to a report by Aditi Kinhabwala of NFL Network

Although groin issues can indeed linger, the #Steelers are hopeful that with both CB Joe Haden and LB Devin Bush, this will just be a one-game absence.

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 19, 2021

Both Bush and Haden are inactive for the team’s Week 2 game against the Las Vegas Raiders with groin injuries. Both players will full participants in the week of practice leading up to the game, only to be added to the injury report as limited participants on Friday.

Devin Bush, Joe Haden among Steelers Inactives vs. Raiders

James Pierre and Robert Spillane are expected to start in their place, with Justin Layne elevated to the No. 3 outside cornerback and Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert III as the backups at inside linebacker.

Haden has had a long history of minor injuries throughout his NFL career. In his 11 prior season, he has played in all 16 games just twice — as a rookie in 2010 and in 2019. Haden missed two regular-season games and the Steelers’ playoff game last season.

Bush spent this offseason recovering from the ACL injury and surgery that cost him the second half of his 2020 season.