The latest Steelers injury report is a bit discouraging. After George Pickens missed the previous two games against the Browns and Eagles, the star receiver could be in line for a third absence this week against the Ravens as he recovers from a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
To make matters worse, the Steelers safety DeShon Elliott is trending toward missing another game with a hamstring injury as starting cornerback Donte Jackson will likely be out with a back injury. The Steelers are dealing with all of this while their best player, T.J. Watt, looks to fight through a sprained ankle to take the field in Baltimore on Saturday.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, the Ravens are dealing with some injuries of their own.
Starting wide receivers Rashod Bateman (ankle) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) popped up on the injury report this week. Both receivers missed missed practice on Thursday and their status for Week 16 is in jeopardy.
WR Rashod Bateman (ankle), WR Nelson Agholor (concussion), WR Diontae Johnson (NIR/personal) and CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) all not practicing for Ravens.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 19, 2024
Agholor was going through a lengthy workout on side field. Justice Hill (personal) returned to practice today.
Additionally, the Ravens have already excused Diontae Johnson from team activities this week, and the former Steelers wide receiver will miss another game after being issued a one-game suspension by Baltimore.
The playing field has been leveled for Steelers vs. Ravens game
Obviously, we never root for injuries, but the potential absences the Ravens could be dealing with at the wide receiver position this week could help level the playing field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now it looks like Baltimore just handed Pittsburgh an early Christmas gift.
Despite possessing one of the NFL's most lethal passing attacks in 2024, Baltimore had enough trouble against Mike Tomlin's defense the first time around. In Week 11, quarterback Lamar Jackson recorded just 207 passing yards while throwing a touchdown and an interception and taking two sacks. With every weapon at their disposal, Baltimore scored just 16 points in the loss.
If Bateman or Agholor can't suit up this week, the Steelers could have another repeat performance on defense. Pittsburgh has proven to be the best team in the NFL at slowing down Jackson and this lethal offense and this matchup could get a bit easier without two of Baltimore's top pass-catchers.
At the very least, the Ravens' possible absences at wide receiver (Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and Diontae Johnson) could cancel out the Steelers' two projected absences in the secondary (DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson). Even steven!