Steelers Injury Report: Defense, Special Teams Banged Up

Early in the week of preparation heading into Sunday’s home game against the New Orleans Saints, some of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ key defensive and special teams players are dealing with injuries.

Tuesday, Mike Tomlin said linebacker Myles Jack has a knee ailment, while cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring), Levi Wallace (shoulder), and William Jackson III (back) are also hurt.

Along with Wallace and kicker Chris Boswell (groin), Larry Ogunjobi missed the loss to Philadelphia in Week 8. The sixth-year defensive tackle is still nursing the knee injury that kept him out, Tomlin noted.

In addition, Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz has a rib injury. Kuntz, along with Jack, Witherspoon, and Jackson, are expected to be limited in practice.

On a more positive note, the Steelers’ offense appears to be healthy heading into Sunday afternoon.

The week of rest might help Pittsburgh, while the Saints clashed with Baltimore Monday night and have a number of injuries of their own to worry about on a short week.

The Saints’ attack was missing a starting receiver (Jarvis Landry, ankle), a backup running back (Mark Ingram II, knee), and wideout Michael Thomas (toe) in the 27-13 loss.

Landry hasn’t played since Week 4, and Ingram figures to miss some more time, so he probably won’t be available this week.

As for Thomas, the Saints’ No. 1 pass-catcher, he’s likely done for the remainder of the season after having surgery.

He had the best season of his career in 2019 — and arguably one of the best season performances for a receiver in league history — pulling in 149 passes for 1,725 yards and nine scores.

Since then, Thomas has been extremely limited, playing in only 10 games over the last three years and sitting out all of the previous campaign.

New Orleans also saw linebacker Pete Werner be carted off Monday night and defensive end Marcus Davenport left the game, too.

Injuries will definitely be something to watch for this week.