We knew the Steelers vs. Chargers game was going to be a hard-hitting slugfest. What we didn't realize is how many injuries Pittsburgh would sustain in this contest.
It's been a bad week on the injury front for the Steelers, and it's not getting any better. As Pittsburgh prepared for their Week 3 matchup against Los Angeles, we learned that first-round rookie offensive tackle had suffered a severe knee injury. This forced him to land on IR and could end his rookie season before it ever takes off.
But wait, there's more.
In the first half of Pittsburgh's home opener against the Chargers, the Steelers were decimated by injuries. Four important players hit the tuft and had trouble getting up. It started early in the game when standout second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. sustained a hamstring injury in the first quarter. Almost immediately, he was ruled doubtful to return.
Cory Trice has a hamstring injury and his return is DOUBTFUL
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 22, 2024
From there, left guard Spencer Anderson hit the deck and was replaced by fourth-round rookie, Mason McCormick.
The Steelers were already without starting left guard, Isaac Seumalo, as he nurses his way back from a pectoral injury he suffered before the start of the season. Now Pittsburgh is down to their third-string left guard as their offensive line sustains yet another injury early in the year.
Rookie Mason McCormick is in at LG for Spencer Anderson for Steelers
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) September 22, 2024
The injuries didn't stop there. Starting cornerback Donte Jackson went down grabbing his shoulder after making a tackle. He immediately made his way to the sidlines. Fortunately, he was able to come back in the game a few plays later.
Steelers CB Donte Jackson now down. Cory Trice already injured with a hamstring.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) September 22, 2024
So, welcome back, James Pierre.
To top it all off, outstanding edge rusher, Alex Highsmith exited the game and was assisted to the blue tent. Steelers' Senior Director of Communications, Burt Lauten, reported that Highsmith suffered a groin injury and is doubtful to return.
#Steelers LB Alex Highsmith has a groin injury and is doubtful to return to today's game.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) September 22, 2024
Alex Highsmith's injury is a devastating blow to the Steelers
There's an expression around the NFL that when the injury bug bites, it bites hard. The Pittsburgh Steelers witnessed this first hand in Week 3 against the Chargers. While all of these losses are huge, none is bigger than the departure of Alex Highsmith.
Highsmith has been one of the best and most consistent players on the team for two years, and he was picking up right where he left off early in the 2024 season. Last year, we saw what a major blow it was to lose Cam Heyward to a groin injury.
The severity of hamstring injuries differs, but this could be enough for Highsmith to land on IR. The Steelers need to get healthy if they want to stay competitive in 2024.