All told, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a fairly comfortable position when it comes to injuries, especially with consideration of the difficult schedule they are playing through.
A second matchup with the Cleveland Browns in three weeks is a must-win. The Steelers can't afford another loss to a sub-.500 team, let alone a divisional rival in the heat of the playoff race. The Steelers find themselves behind the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in that race and staying healthy will go a long way in preserving their positioning.
The health of the team is promising for keeping pace. Yet another week, and Pittsburgh gains more pieces than they've lost. Chief among them is Alex Highsmith who returns to the lineup to face a beaten-up Cleveland front.
Of course, one piece of the puzzle worth monitoring is George Pickens. He was listed as questionable after being limited in Friday's practice with a hamstring.
Full Inactives List for Steelers in Week 14
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Montravius Adams | Out - Knee |
George Pickens | Out - Hamstring |
Cory Trice Jr. | Out - Hamstring |
Max Scharping | Inactive |
Dean Lowry | Inactive |
Kyle Allen | Inactive - *Emergency 3rd QB |
Offensive Impacts
Unfortunately, Pickens will sit this game out with his late-week hamstring injury. With Calvin Austin III in off a concussion and a total lack of production from Mike Williams, Steelers fans have plenty of room for concern with the Steelers' offense.
It will be interesting to see how the Steelers adjust from the downfield shots without George Pickens. Pittsburgh's run game will be very important without their main playmaker out wide. Najee Harris, it's your time to shine.
Defensive Impacts
Montravious Adams' absence isn't quite as problematic as it once was, though it does impact available depth. But without Adams, it's interesting that the Steelers didn't give a helmet to Dean Lowry. With Nick Chub coming to town, it'll be tough for Steeler fans to hold their confidence in the defensive front.
Full inactives list for the Cleveland Browns
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Maurice Hurst | Out - Ankle/Foot |
Sam Kamara | Out - Concussion |
Cedric Tillman | Out - Concussion |
Jedrick Wills | Out - Knee |
James Houston | Inactive |
Jamari Thrash | Out - Shoulder |
Chigozie Anusiem | Inactive |
D'Onta Foreman | Inactive |
Bailey Zappe | Inactive - *Emergency 3rd QB |
What to Know
Jedrick Wills is still the biggest name on this list, though there are bigger names on injured reserve. Still, the Browns don't look too much different from the previous meeting between these two.
Two names that were on the injury report that are closer to full health than they were in previous weeks are Joel Bitonio and Jerry Jeudy, who have both played a significant role in allowing the Browns offense to revive itself around Jameis Winston.