The return of promising Steelers rookie proves to be nothing more than a tease from Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a must-win game on Saturday. Sure, the Cincinnati Bengals might be the team fighting for its playoff lives, but the Steelers have lost three straight. That means they can ill afford to enter the postseason as losers of four in a row. So all of the help they can get, they […]

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) warms up before a game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a must-win game on Saturday.

Sure, the Cincinnati Bengals might be the team fighting for its playoff lives, but the Steelers have lost three straight.

That means they can ill afford to enter the postseason as losers of four in a row. So all of the help they can get, they will need, and we found out how healthy the team is heading into Week 18 following the final injury report of the week, including a disappointment after the return to practice from a much needed rookie:

Steelers Week 18 Injury Report Vs. Bengals (THU)

  • Joey Porter Jr.: Pittsburgh desperately missed Peezy Jr. against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas. The last time he played against the Bengals however, Tee Higgins got the best of him and he was called for six penalties. We'll find out how healthy he is early on Saturday
  • Cole Holcomb: After missing well over a year with a knee injury, Holcomb had his practice window opened but he will miss Saturday's game
  • Roman Wilson: A forgotten-about player in the WR corps, Wilson was placed on IR ahead of Week 8 making his return to practice a reason for optimism. The Steelers obviously don't feel comfortable with him however, as despite practicing in full all week, he was declared out for Saturady
  • Ben Skowronek: With so many injuries in the WR corps, Skowronek became a bit of feature for a hot second before suffering an injury against the Baltimore Ravens. His blocking and ability to move the chains will be useful going forward
  • Jaylen Warren: The man who has gotten the lion's share of the carries in the last few contests, Pittsburgh will need Warren healthy to beat the Bengals, and they may just have him close to 100%
  • Donte Jackson: Jackson was back on the report midweek after his back flared up again. He heads into Saturday as questionable 
youtube placeholder image

"Last game, we had significant people coming back in DeShon Elliott and George Pickens, to name a couple, Donte Jackson [also]," said Coach Tomlin on Monday. "It looks like Joey Porter Jr. is scheduled to make it back, along with Ben Skorwonek. And so getting a healthy outfit, particularly as you get toward the end of this season and lean in on a single elimination tournament is big business for us…

"…We're excited about the issues of dividing the labor up and having really a full stable at our disposal in the effort to formulate plans and and make plays. It's going to be needed, quite honestly, because Cincinnati is is red hot."

"Some injuries that I didn't mention…Cory Trice, might be limited at the early portions of the week, but expect him to be available," added Coach Tomlin. "Same thing could be said for Jaylen Warren and some other guys that are managing some bumps and bruises, but to come off of a long weekend like we have, man that's been a benefit to us. Guys who needed rest have gotten rest. Guys that have needed rehabilitation have gotten that and so we're excited about starting our physical work [Tuesday]."

Related Articles