After a grim-looking Steelers injury report in Week 16, fans were hopeful that players on the fence like Larry Ogunjobi and Donte Jackson would be able to suit up for today's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. We could all breathe a sigh of relief when Watt finished the week of practice without an injury destination after suffering a sprained ankle against the Eagles.
Unfortunately, the Steelers' inactives list didn't yield the results we were hoping for.
In addition to George Pickens being absent for the third week in a row, the Steelers will be without cornerback Donte Jackson, safety DeShon Elliott, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, and backup quarterback Justin Fields.
#Steelers will be without:
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) December 21, 2024
WR Geroge Pickens
S Deshon Elliott
DL Larry Ogunjobi
CB Donte Jackson
QB Justin Fields
...against their biggest rival on the road in a game that likely decides the AFC North. Not good.
The Steelers can stomach the loss of a few of these players, but to lose them all at once like this is really going to leave a mark.
The absences in the secondary are particularly concerning. While Pittsburgh's defense was brilliant in their first matchup against the Ravens, they will be without two of their five starters in the defensive backfield against one of the league's most lethal passing offenses.
Steelers could have a hard time stopping QB Lamar Jackson
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been the best team in the league at shutting down two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson since he came into the league in 2018. But that could all change today. The Baltimore Ravens are averaging 29.9 points per game (third in the NFL) while averaging a league-high 424.1 yards per game.
Through the first fifteen weeks of the 2024 season, Jackson is on pace for the best season of his NFL career, and the Steelers were one of the only teams that proved capable of slowing down their passing attack.
Doing it again will be a daunting task.
Despite Donte Jackson's inconsistencies, the veteran cornerback has five interceptions on the season and is a threat to take the ball away when thrown at. Elliott, meanwhile, has proven to be one of the best bargain free agent signings of the 2024 offseason thanks to his dominant run-defense ability and well-rounded play.
In their absences, the Steelers will likely turn to cornerback James Pierre and safety Damontae Kazee. Elliott was signed during the offseason to upgrade the inconsistent and often-injured Kazee while Pierre wasn't even on the roster to begin the season. The veteran cornerback was signed to play special teams as a depth CB.
Luckily for the Steelers, wide receiver Nelson Agholor won't be suiting up for this contest, so that's at least one receiver they won't have to account for.
With a thin defensive line and a decimated secondary, the Steelers could be in a heap of trouble if they can't find a way to slow down Lamar Jackson. There are AFC North title implications riding on this game, and Pittsburgh needs to find a way to overcome their losses in this pivotal road game.