The Pittsburgh Steelers sit at the bottom of the AFC playoff picture after starting the season 1-3. The team lost on Sunday afternoon to the New York Jets and now will head into one of the organization's toughest schedule stretches in recent memory. To make matters worse, there are several players on the defensive side of the ball that are dealing with bumps and bruises associated with play and their availability on Sunday versus the Buffalo Bills will depend on their practice participation this week. It is certainly cause for concern because of the guys who may be limited to begin the week.
Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Announces Impressive Rookie Kenny Pickett As Starting Quarterback For Week 5
In his weekly press conference, head coach, Mike Tomlin said that it was safe to assume Ahkello Witherspoon will not suit up on Sunday against Buffalo after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3. While the cornerback has not performed well in his second season with the Steelers, the Bills have one of, if not, the best offense(s) in the NFL. Any injury that doesn't allow someone to play to combat the aerial attack will hurt the team.
Coach Tomlin on injuries:
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) October 4, 2022
Akhello Witherspoon will most likely be out again
Ones to watch in practice:
Terrell Edmunds (concussion protocol)
Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee)
Cam Sutton (groin)
Cam Heyward (elbow/ankle)
Witherspoon was the only new injury heading into the Jets game, but the secondary did not come out of the game as healthy as it went in. The biggest thing to watch is Minkah Fitzpatrick's knee injury. The Steelers are already down their most important defensive player due to T.J. Watt's pectoral tear. The last thing Teryl Austin's unit needs is to be without the team's MVP to this point in the season.
To add insult to injury (no pun intended), Fitzpatrick's partner in crime, Terrell Edmunds is in the concussion protocol. Due to the recent events that transpired in Miami with Tua Tagovailoa, teams around the league are going to be consistently more careful in these situations. The Steelers could be in for an extremely long day if they are missing both of their starting safeties.
Aug 21, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds (34) reacts after a defensive stop against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Those aren't the only players on the injury report to begin the week. Another member of the secondary, Cameron Sutton is dealing with a groin injury. The Bills have plenty of weapons offensively with Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis and Dawson Knox, among others. Adding Sutton to the list, the team's most consistent cornerback, should also be a big worry for fans of the black and gold.
It still does not end there. Veteran defensive lineman, Cameron Heyward is nursing elbow and ankle injuries after the loss to New York. The Bills aren't a juggernaut in the rushing attack, but not having Heyward suiting up immediately puts Josh Allen and his offense at even more of an advantage. Expect Heyward to take most of the week off, but be ready to go this weekend.
The hope and belief is that all of these guys, aside from Witherspoon, will be able to play in Buffalo. That doesn't necessarily mean they will be 100%, but the defense cannot afford to be down this many key guys going into the contest. All of them should be doing whatever they can in order to get on the field come Sunday afternoon.
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