Steelers Injury Updates: Alualu Has Broken Ankle; Johnson, Watt Being Evaluated

The Steelers didn’t just lose to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, they lost a ton of key contributors in the process.

T.J. Watt left the game in the first half with a groin injury, the third Steelers defender to suffer an injury of that sort.

Tyson Alualu was carted to the locker room in the first half after having his ankled trapped under another player.

Diontae Johnson was helped off the field following the final play of the 26-17 loss with an apparent re-aggravation of his knee injury from Week 1.

Head coach Mike Tomlin gave updates on the injuries in his post-game press conference.

“Tyson Alualu had a ankle fracture,” Tomlin said. “Obviously he’ll be down for an extended period of time.”

In terms of T.J. Watt and Diontae Johnson, Tomlin said that both will continue being evaluated.

“Such is life in the NFL,” Tomlin said. “We’ll absorb this, make corrections and grow from it.”

Tomlin also addressed Devin Bush and Joe Haden’s injuries that held them out of Sunday’s game, acknowledging both as soft tissue injuries.

The Steelers are already missing Stephon Tuitt on the defensive line. Losing Alualu is significant, as he is a big part of their attack against the run, while also generating consistent interior pressure.

The fact that Watt started out as questionable to return is promising. Assuming he’ll be rested and held out of practice throughout the week to heal, he could have a good chance to play in Week 3.

It goes without say that the impact Johnson has on the offense is significant. While the Steelers have four quality receivers, Johnson is the No. 1 guy among pass catcher through two weeks.

Only two games into the season, the Steelers are being bitten by the injury bug. They will need several guys to step up. As Tomlin says, the standard is the standard. We’ll find out if they live up to expectations.