Steelers injury report: Broncos hurting against Pittsburgh in Week 2
By Edward Hunt
The Steelers had some big injuries in their first game of the season, but here’s why the Denver Broncos are hurting even worse heading into Week 2.
The Steelers are 1-0 and host the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field on Sunday. They have had a lot of injuries on the offensive line but the good news is they are healthy at other positions. They already put Zach Banner on IR and now Stefan Wisniewski is headed to IR.
The Black & Gold only have DeCastro out this week and the hope is that he will take over at right guard when he is healthy. Kevin Dotson, the rookie from Louisiana, will get his first career start at right guard.
Derwin Gray, who has been on the practice squad for over a year, is now on the roster and is probably the next man up if there is an injury at guard.
David DeCastro (Knee) Out
David DeCastro is out again this week with a knee injury and that hurts this team because he is probably the Steeler’s best offensive lineman. He will be one of the five on the inactive list. The other four will be healthy scratches.
He will be replaced by Kevin Dotson at right guard. Dotson has had injury issues in camp and is a rookie so there is a lot of uncertainty with him playing right guard. The good news is he is a promising prospect.
Stefan Wisniewski (Chest) Reserve/Injured
Stefan Wisniewski is now officially on the reserve/injured list. With the new NFL rules around the list, Wisniewski could come back during the season. Some are thinking that he will come back, but I think it’s determinate on the injury situation when he gets healthy.
Wisniewski would have been the right guard for Sunday’s game if it weren’t for his injury. Now Kevin Dotson gets the start and Derwin Gray is the top backup as he just got called up to the roster.
Broncos Injuries
A.J. Bouye (shoulder) Out
The Broncos paid cornerback A.J. Bouye nearly $13.5 million per season to help lock down opposing weapons. Unfortunately for Denver, he won’t be doing that for a least a few weeks. The Broncos temporarily placed Bouye on IR after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 1. This could be a big blow to the team.
Mark Barron (hamstring) Out
Mark Barron has been ruled out for Sunday’s game and that means he will not be able to face his old team. Barron’s job is usually to cover as a linebacker and so this is welcome news for guys like Benny Snell, Vince McDonald, and Eric Ebron.
Phillip Lindsay (foot) Out
Phillip Lindsay has been a great back with plenty of speed for the Broncos; so, his being lost hurts. The Steelers can now turn their attention to stopping Melvin Gordon. A young quarterback like Drew Lock will miss having a back he can throw to or run for a quick 3-4 yards.
Garett Boles (elbow) Questionable
Boles is the Broncos left tackle and so he is crucial to the team’s offense. I think he will have his elbow taped and be able to play on Sunday. He will be on thin ice though as injuring it again could knock him out of the game.
Tyrie Cleveland (hip) Questionable
Cleveland was a seventh-round pick out of Florida and made the team as a rookie. I think the biggest worry is how this injury hurts his development. I don’t think it is a terrible injury and if he doesn’t dress this week then he will play the following week for the Broncos.
Courtland Sutton (shoulder) Questionable
This is a game-time decision and is a key factor in this game. He is probably the Broncos’ best receiver and is probably a top 15 receiver in the league. His shoulder injury could really cost the Broncos their passing game.
Conclusion
The Broncos have more injuries than the Steelers but both teams have their fair share of injuries. The injury report really progressed as the practice week went on for both teams.
The injury list is pretty certain for the Steelers as David DeCastro is the only player on the active roster who will be out for the game as long as nothing unforeseen happens.
The Broncos, on the other hand, have Courtland Sutton’s injury looming. The third-year receiver out of SMU is a key component of the Broncos offense and is probably the x-factor for Sunday’s game.