Facing an 11-2 opponent on the road late in the season is hard enough, but it's even harder when your team is not at full strength. After two straight divisional wins, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Philadelphia to take on an uber-talented Eagles team in Week 15.
While the Eagles haven't been winning convincingly over the past few weeks, they are currently on a nine-game winning streak. To make matters worse, the Steelers haven't won a game in Philadelphia since 1965 and Mike Tomlin is 0-3 all-time on the road against this formidable Pennsylvania foe.
Now we are forced to combine some already-difficult circumstances with a roster that won't be at full strength.
In Week 14, George Pickens missed the Steelers' game against the Browns with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that could keep him sidelined for several more weeks.
In his Tuesday press conference, Mike Tomlin listed Pickens as doubtful and we knew his chances of suiting up this week against the Eagles were slim to none. What we didn't know is two other key players would be in jeopardy of missing this crucial contest.
Updated Steelers injury report entering Week 15
Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Patrick Queen | LB | NIR - Rest | DNP | FP |
George Pickens | WR | Hamstring | DNP | DNP |
Mike Williams | WR | NIR - Rest | DNP | FP |
Najee Harris | RB | NIR - Rest | DNP | FP |
DeShon Elliott | S | Hamstring | DNP | DNP |
Elandon Roberts | LB | NIR - Rest | - | DNP |
Montravius Adams | DT | Knee | LP | FP |
Isaac Seumalo | OG | NIR - Rest | DNP | FP |
MyCole Pruitt | TE | NIR - Rest | - | DNP |
Cordarrelle Patterson | RB | NIR - Rest | - | DNP |
T.J. Watt | EDGE | NIR - Rest | LP | FP |
Cam Heyward | DL | NIR - Rest | DNP | DNP |
Larry Ogunjobi | DL | Groin | DNP | DNP |
Most of the names on this list don't raise a concern whatsoever. The Steelers have a lot of veteran players to whom Mike Tomlin likes to award rest days. But three starters on Pittsburgh's roster are in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game against the Eagles.
At this point, it's safe to assume that George Pickens won't be suiting up this weekend. But now Steelers fans have to worry about whether Larry Ogunjobi and DeShon Elliott will be available against one of the league's best teams this weekend.
Ogunjobi was on last week's injury report after receiving veteran rest days. This week, however, the defensive lineman has been unable to practice due to a groin injury. This ailment first flared up early in Pittsburgh's game against Cleveland in Week 14. Ogunjobi was unable to return to the game and the Steelers were forced to play with just three healthy interior defenders for the rest of the game.
With a sudden lack of depth along the defensive line, the loss of Ogunjobi this week would be bigger than most fans realize. It helps that Montravius Adams is expected to return, but Adams' presence won't make up for the loss of Ogunjobi if he's unable to go this week.
Equally as concerning is the status of DeShon Elliott. The veteran safety proved to be one of the best bargain free agent signings in 2024, thanks to his spectacular ability to come downhill and defend the run. If Elliott can't go, backup safety Damontae Kazee will likely be thrust into a much larger role.