Steelers have clean bill of health headed into Raiders game
Thankfully there were no severe injuries of note in the Steelers opening game with the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday. So, things look good.
A few Pittsburgh Steelers players ended up on the injured reserved list near the end of the preseason, and those players will be out at least until Oct. 3.
But other than that, Pittsburgh so far has a clean bill of health heading into the 2021 home opener at Heinz Field against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.
Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt: Out (Knee)
Tuitt injured his knee in the preseason, and it has not healed yet. Not season-ending; it was bad enough they placed him on IR on Sept. 1.
He will be out of action until the Green Bay Packers game at the earliest. However, the Steelers do not expect to miss the whole season, so he should be back soon.
Steelers OL Zach Banner: Out (knee)
Probably this year’s biggest disappointment, Banner missed all of last year with a torn ACL. Pittsburgh expected him to be ready for Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, but then re-injured his knee.
So, Banner went back to IR and will be out until at least Oct. 3 like Tuitt.
Steelers RB Anthony McFarland: Out (undisclosed)
Showing a lot of improvement from the 2020 season, most expected McFarland to win the No. 2 starting running back job behind Najee Harris.
However, an injury derailed those plans, as the Steelers placed McFarland on IR on Sept. 1 as well.
There is no indication he won’t be back, and fans should expect him to return about Oct. 3, the earliest he can return.
Steelers LB Robert Spillane: Questionable (Shin)
Probably the most freakish injury of the week, Spillane injured himself during pregame warmups, and Pittsburgh scratched him prior to kickoff.
While there is no news about the cause, it does not seem serious, and he could be expected back for the Raiders game.
The two teams kick off on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. ET from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.