As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, they enter the Week 6 matchup with more questions than answers. The offense has continued to struggle putting up significant points, and without reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt, the defense has looked helpless. On top of all that, the injury bug hasn't slowed down for this 1-4 football team, and midway through this week, many players on the black and gold are still questionable for this weekend's must-win bout.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Levi Wallace (#29) participates during a Week 4 matchup at Acrisure Stadium against the New York Jets on Oct. 2, 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The Steelers left Buffalo battered and bruised in Week 5, and I'm not just talking about the 38-3 score. Several players weren't able to finish the game including cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Levi Wallace, and tight end, Pat Freiermuth, who remains in concussion protocol. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette updated Steeler Nation on Thursday's injury report below:
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, Cam Sutton, Larry Ogunjobi and Mason Cole all held out of practice again today for Steelers. Diontae Johnson and Zach Gentry upgraded to full, Levi Wallace upgraded to limited, Pat Freiermuth limited again. Not a ton of clarity just yet...
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) October 13, 2022
Batko also noted today along with the above tweet(s) that backup tight end, Zach Gentry should be "good to go" come Sunday:
"Steelers TE Zach Gentry says he’ll be good to go for Sunday after missing yesterday’s practice with a knee injury. And he thinks Connor Heyward is ready for a bigger role too if Pat Freiermuth (concussion) is out."
As far as star safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick, he's still dealing with a knee injury that he played through in Buffalo. Ahkello Witherspon and Sutton missed their second straight day of practice, both with hamstring injuries. Center, Mason Cole (foot), and defensive lineman, Larry Ogunjobi (back), were out Thursday as mentioned as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman, Larry Ogunjobi (#99) participates during a game at Acrisure Stadium against the New York Jets on Oct. 2, 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
With most of the secondary still banged up, the team is hopeful that safety, Terrell Edmunds is close to a return. He suffered a concussion in Week 4 against the New York Jets, and was held out of the Week 5 matchup in Buffalo. In his place, we've seen a steady dose of Tre Norwood. As for corners Witherspoon, Sutton and Wallace, if they can't go vs. Tampa, James Pierre and Josh Jackson will be asked to step up once again.
Another year, and the depth continues to be a huge issue for this Steelers team. They'll need all hands on deck for an offensive opponent that currently ranks third in passing yards in the entire league.
Check out Thursday's entire injury report below:
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 6
Thursday, October 13
WR Diontae Johnson (Hip) - FP
CB Cameron Sutton (Hamstring) - DNP
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Hamstring) - DNP
CB Levi Wallace (Concussion) - LP
S Terrell Edmunds (Concussion) - FP
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - DNP
DT Montravius Adams (Hip) - FP
OL Mason Cole (Foot) - DNP
TE Zach Gentry (Knee) - FP
TE Pat Freiermuth (Concussion) - LP
DT Larry Ogunjobi (Back) - DNP
How are yinz feeling about the health of the team right now heading into Week 6? Do the Steelers have enough manpower to steal a much needed victory against one of the NFL's top offenses? Sound off in the comment section below!
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