Steelers Injury Updates: Robert Spillane Has Knee Sprain; Pat Freiermuth Still in Concussion Protocol

PITTSBURGH — Steelers inside linebacker Robert Spillane has a sprained knee and is unlikely to play this week against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Tuesday.

Spillane suffered the knee injury against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Another injury issue stemming from that game remains unresolved, as tight end Pat Freiermuth, who took a hit to the head late in the game, is still in the NFL concussion protocol.

Spillane has been the team’s top backup at inside linebacker this season, spelling both Devin Bush and Joe Schobert at times, while also maintaining a role in the Dime defense. Without him in place, the backup role would likely fall to a combination of Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert III, with Bush or Schobert likely staying on the field for all three downs.

At tight end, the lack of depth is more significant, as Freiermuth is the second of the team’s two-starters to go down. Eric Ebron was placed on injured reserve on Saturday and will miss at least two more weeks. Tomlin declined to give a further update on his status on Tuesday.

Tomlin said he was hopeful that cornerback Joe Haden would be able to return to practice this week from his mid-foot sprain. Haden has been out since injuring his foot in against the Detroit Lions.