Steelers injury report: Pittsburgh could be weak at guard vs. Bengals

The Steelers have some worrisome injuries that they are dealing with at this point. Left guard is a position that is up in the air for Sunday.

The Steelers are doing better from an injury standpoint than what it looked like after the Bills game but they still have a few players up in the air. The most recent injury report also had some good news to go along with the bad news the Steelers have been getting recently.

James Conner and Kevin Dotson are the players in question at this point. Conner is key to the running game which is important in divisional games where both teams know each other well. Dotson is probably also going to be the left guard going forward with Matt Feiler on the reserve/injured list.

Steelers Injuries

James Conner (Quadriceps) Questionable

James Conner has a quad injury and that has caused some concern for this team. He did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday; so, Saturday is the important day for the Steelers. They play on Monday night so the practice schedule is moved a day back. Right now, I give it a coin flip’s chance that the Steelers starting running back plays on Monday.

Kevin Dotson (Shoulder) Doubtful

The Steelers look like they are in trouble of being down to their third-string left guard for Monday. Derwin Gray is a relative unknown but isn’t the ideal option for the job at this point in his career for a left guard. It also wouldn’t be the first time the Steelers developed a good guard.

Bengals Injuries

Brandon Allen (Knee) Doubtful

Brandon Allen is probably the Bengals backup quarterback right now and may open the door for someone like Kevin Hogan to be elevated to the active roster. Hogan has had some success in the NFL but hasn’t been a regular starter in the league.

Logan Wilson (Ankle) Doubtful

Logan Wilson was a star at the combine this year and was the first pick in the third round. The linebacker is a starter on this defense and will thus be missed. Also, as a rookie, he needs to stay on the field for his development.

Brandon Wilson (Hamstring) Questionable

Brandon Wilson was limited on Friday after being limited on Thursday. He is the player who I think has the best chance of playing against the Steelers on the injury report. Wilson is a reserve who gets some playing time in the defense but I wouldn’t call him a starter for the Bengals.

The Steelers have a few players on the injury report, but I think things are good compared to what they seemed like after Buffalo. There is a storyline to follow and that is Ben Roethlisberger’s knee. Ben has been a trooper in his career, but he is older now and that brings a heightened level of concern.