Steelers Injury Updates: Okorafor in Concussion Protocol; 5 Regulars Hurt

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers might have flipped the script on Sunday. The old saying goes, “adding insult to injury,” but against the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener at Acrisure Stadium, the insult happened first, as the Steelers fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter before the injuries started to pile up.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin listed five players in his post-game injury report, four of them starters, and some of those injuries could be significant.

Defensive captain Cam Heyward could not finish the game after suffering a groin injury and wide receiver Diontae Johnson was not seen after leaving the field immediately after a third-quarter catch, when he grabbed his right hamstring.

Tomlin did not have specific updates on either of those players, other than that they are being evaluated.

Right tackle Chuks Okorafor left the game on the final offensive drive, and the team did not have time to issue an in-game update on his status. Tomlin said he is “probably in the concussion protocol” and didn’t have a lot of information on his status going forward.

Tomlin clarified that defensive end DeMarvin Leal is dealing with a triceps injury. It was originally listed as an elbow issue. Leal returned after the injury, but did not finish the game. It could have simply been because of the lopsided score at that point.

The same can be said of tight end Pat Freiermuth, who was hurt on the final drive of the first half. He returned to the game after being announced as questionable to return with his chest injury, but was not on the field for the final offensive drive.

Tomlin did not offer an update on defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who was questionable to play in the game with a foot injury. He dressed and started, but played limited reps at times.

The Steelers have an extra day off to heal before their next game against the Cleveland Browns next Monday.