PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Already without a pair of middle linebackers, now the Steelers will be down at least three safeties for the game against the Bengals on Saturday.
Barring winning an appeal, Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the season after his hit on Colts receiver Michael Pittman, Junior. Veteran Keanu Neal remains on injured reserve and won't return Saturday and now Minkah Fitzpatrick is out against Cincinnati as well with a knee injury.
Mike Tomlin said in reviewing the Indianapolis game on Monday that a big reason they struggled in the second half was due to injuries at safety. Trenton Thompson is a fill-in and he's dealing with a stinger and not 100%, although it's believed he will play. Third-string safety Elijah Riley might be able to go as well. Those are bodies who can fill roles, but what about the continued communication issues?
"It will be a bit challenging because Minkah is a huge communication part, a leader," Thompson told 93.7 The Fan. "We just have to make it work. We can't change ways because you are missing a piece, the next piece in needs to make it right."
That's easy to say, but when the team is down to third-string guys. Steelers will be starting players who were on practice squads at times this season. They're facing a Bengals team with two straight wins and threats in the middle of the field like Clairton and Pitt star Tyler Boyd and running back Joe Mixon. It a big ask of 'next man up'.
"You don't have time to worry about that stuff," said linebacker Mykal Walker. "Obviously that's a great player, a rock, a foundation of this team. We have a game in a few days."
Coming off three straight losses and allowing 170 rushing to the Colts, the barriers keep getting higher and higher for a 7-7 team that at one point had an 80% chance to make the playoffs.
