Steelers Suffer Another Potentially Significant Injury in Win Over Bengals

CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered just one significant injury in their 16-10 Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Mike Tomlin reported on Sunday.

Wide receiver and punt returner Calvin Austin III suffered an ankle injury late in the game. Tomlin did not have an update on his condition. The injury happened on the final punt return of the game, with 5:58 remaining. He appeared to be injured by a hip-drop tackle, the type the NFL has been making noise about restricting.

Austin had just one catch for five yards in the game. He returned three punts for a total of two yards in the game. He has returned every punt for the team this season and has frequently been the only man in the return line during pregame warmups, so it’s unclear who would replace him if he is unable to suit up next Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

George Pickens was also injured during the game, but Tomlin said he only got the wind knocked out of him. He returned a few plays later.

The one Steelers player dealing with an injury that suited up in the game was cornerback James Pierre. Pierre, who was questionable to dress with a shoulder injury suffered in practice last week, played his usual special teams role, but did not record a tackle.