Steelers Lose ILB Kwon Alexander to Injury

PITTSBURGH — Already down one inside linebacker, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost another on the second drive of the game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Inside linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered a leg injury on the opening defensive possession of the game for the Steelers against the Packers. He was initially listed as questionable to return, but then downgraded to out for the rest of the game

Alexander was slow to get up after a passing play. Trainers came out to examine him on the field. He got up under his own power and walked off the field for further examination, first in the blue medical tent on the Pittsburgh sideline and then was taken to the locker room. 

The Steelers were already playing without starting linebacker Cole Holcomb, who was lost for the season to a left knee injury in the team’s Thursday Night Football win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 9.

Alexander was making his second start of the season, replacing Holcomb alongside Elandon Roberts in the starting lineup. With Alexander out, second-year former seventh-round draft pick Mark Robinson played alongside Alexander.

The Steelers have just one other inside linebacker dressed for Sunday’s game, Tariq Carpenter. Carpenter was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday and made his Steelers debut on Sunday. He played 14 games with the Green Bay Packers as a rookie in 2022.

Four-year vet Mykal Walker, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons is also on the practice squad.

Two of the Steelers’ safeties, Keanu Neal and Miles Killebrew have experience playing linebacker in the NFL, if such a need would arise in-game.

In eight games this season, Alexander has 41 tackles, which is fourth on the team. He also has five tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one pass defended.

Alexander joined the Steelers after the start of training camp. He is playing on a one-year contract.