Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Gameday
Steelers Rule Out Injured Cornerback vs. Bengals
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without veteran cornerback Donte Jackson, among others, as they face off against the Cincinnati Bengals at home on Saturday night.
Jackson was listed as one of the team’s inactives for the regular season finale. He returned for the Steelers’ Christmas Day defeat to Kansas, but was limited in practice earlier this week, tagged with a back issue when he was added back to the team’s injury report Wednesday.
Wide receiver Scott Miller and defensive ends Isaiahh Loudermilk and Dean Lowry also aren’t dressing. Kyle Allen is designated as the team’s emergency third quarterback. Joey Porter Jr. is back in Pittsburgh’s lineup after injuring his knee against Baltimore last month. Porter didn’t play in the Steelers’ last outing.
Jackson’s absence has a good chance to be felt, as the last meeting with the Bengals, which was on Dec. 1, morphed into a shootout. The Steelers wound up pulling out a 44-38 victory on the road.
Cincy’s Ja’Marr Chase has proven time and again to be able to take over a game with his pass-catching abilities. Earlier this season, he put up 264 yards and three touchdowns on 11 grabs in a Thursday night loss to Baltimore. Chase is the only player in NFL lore to account for at least 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns in multiple contests.
Along with Tee Higgins, Chase poses a large threat to the Steelers’ defense.
On the year, Jackson’s totaled 38 tackles, five interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Young coverman Cory Trice and Steelers retread James Pierre have shared time in the secondary in his stead.
Read This Next
