Joe Haden and Robert Spillane out against Bills
By Edward Hunt
The Steelers are already thin at the linebacker position, and they will be without two more starting defenders on Sunday night.
The Steelers look okay from an injury standpoint but the virus makes the issue worse. Already without Devin Bush for the season, inside linebacker is going to be a weakness with Vince Williams and Robert Spillane not playing this week against the Buffalo Bills.
It could help this team to see Ulysees Gilbert III come off the Reserve/Injured list for the Black & Gold and give this team some depth at inside linebacker. The good news is Maurkice Pouncey is off the COVID-19 list and so he should be the man snapping the ball to Ben Roethlisberger.
Unfortunately, the injuries have started to mount up in recent weeks for the Steelers. Bud Dupree was lost for the season after being forced to play late in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens while injuries to two more Steelers starters will hold them out of Sunday’s all-important matchup against Buffalo. Here is the final injury report for Week 14:
Steelers Injuries
Joe Haden (Concussion) Out
Joe Haden is going to be out with a concussion and it’s important that he gets all of the rest that he needs. Cameron Sutton will probably be the other outside corner with Steven Nelson on the other side.
Robert Spillane (Knee) Out
Spillane did not practice all week and he is out for the game against the Bills. I don’t think he will play next week either but he will be back this regular season. This is Avery Williamson’s chance to win the mack linebacker job for the 2020 playoffs.
Bills Injuries
Jaquan Jackson (Ankle) Out
Jaquan Jackson has not practiced all week and thus will not be playing this week. Jackson is more of a role player for the Bills and so this is not a huge loss. The Bills are very healthy for this game and that should be a wake-up call for Mike Tomlin’s team.
Conclusion
The Bills are very healthy at this point in the season while the Steelers are thin at inside linebacker. I would give the advantage to the Bills in the injury category. There is some good news for the Black & Gold, however, as Steven Nelson will dress and he is a key component of the secondary.
Trending. 4 reasons Vince Williams’ absence will lead to a loss for Steelers. light
Chris Boswell is also going to be back for this game – which is good because Mike Tomlin apparently had no confidence in the kicking game. Chase Claypool also seems ready to play after dealing with an illness earlier in the week. This should be a very good matchup, and Pittsburgh is going to need every able body they can get.