PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A spark for the Steelers offense in the second quarter on Sunday, running back Cordarrelle Patterson is OUT for the game against the Cowboys on Sunday. He’s not the only tailback missing.
Patterson (ankle) is joined by Jaylen Warren (knee) as running backs missing the game. That leaves Najee Harris of the original three left to play. Undrafted free agent Aaron Shampklin will be active and the potential for Jonathan Ward to be activated from the practice squad.
Also listed as out
· LB Alex Highsmith (groin)-knew that all week
· TE MyCole Pruitt (knee)-wasn’t able to make any progress and practice
Guard Isaac Seumalo is cleared to play and should resume his starting job at left tackle with Mason McCormick starting on the right side. Also cleared are defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (ankle) and linebacker Nick Herbig (ankle)
Questionable for Sunday
· DL Larry Ogunjobi (groin)-went full on Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday
· LB Jeremiah Moon (ankle)-working way back from Injured Reserve
Ogunjobi is a new one and will test the depth of the defensive line if he can’t do.
“We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of ball,” said Isaiaah Loudermilk. “Me, Dean, Mon, there is a lot of depth there and a lot guys who have played quite a bit of reps. I know we are comfortable regardless of what happens. Of course you want everyone out there, if we can’t have that, we trust everyone.”
Badger Boy
The Steelers don’t have the monopoly on former Wisconsin players, Cowboys starting tight end Jake Ferguson played with a few current Steelers in college. He was at one time roommates with Loudermilk.
“I assumed once he got to the league he would be a guy on the rise,” Loudermilk said. “He’s one of those big tight ends who can catch the ball. He can move well. He can do all of it. It’s been good seeing him ball out, but on Sunday I don’t want to see that.”
The third-year pro is top 10 among NFL tight ends in catches (17), yards (159) and 20+ yard receptions (2). He came into his own last year, his second season, with 71 receptions (40 for first downs) for 761 yards and five touchdowns.
Ferguson’s grandfather is former Badgers head coach and Burgettstown native Barry Alvarez.