During his Tuesday press conference, Mike Tomlin offered an injury update ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills. Per Tomlin, the team will be without at least two key starters.
“Broderick Jones has a neck injury,” Tomlin said via the team’s YouTube channel. “He’ll be classified as out this week. I’ll have more information for you the next time we get together but certainly he’ll be classified as out. Same thing goes for Derrick Harmon. He sustained a knee injury in-play. But he’ll be characterized as out this week.”
Jones suffered what was initially called a stinger late in the second half Sunday against the Chicago Bears. The fact he was already ruled out for this Sunday suggests the injury is more serious. Calvin Anderson is seemingly the favorite start at left tackle after recording his first offensive snaps of the season in relief of Jones last weekend, though Tomlin noted Andrus Peat is also a candidate. Harmon was not noted as injured by Tomlin post-game. His loss is sizeable, especially against a strong Buffalo Bills run game. Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, and Logan Lee could have more opportunities.
The fact Jones and Harmon were ruled out so early in the week threatens their statuses for Week 14’s key matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Tomlin said Harmon’s injury was unrelated to his MCL sprain suffered in the preseason finale, though Tomlin said he was not sure if Sunday’s injury was to the same knee.
Tomlin painted a better picture about QB Aaron Rodgers.
“Optimistic about a couple of returns,” he said. “Aaron worked his tail off to get to us last week, but as I mentioned over the course of the weekend, it was the prudent and appropriate decision. We’ll start this week with great optimism, though we’ll certainly limit him at the early portions of the week. But we’re comfortable with the general trajectory.”
Tomlin said similar could apply to EDGE Alex Highsmith. Tomlin also left the light on for CB Joey Porter Jr. (hip), WR DK Metcalf (ankle) and WR Ben Skowronek (shoulder). Tomlin noted at the least, all three will be limited early during practice this week.
Rodgers is the Steelers’ most headline injury situation. Missing Week 12’s game due to a fracture in his wrist, Tomlin sounded hopeful post-game that Rodgers would return against the Bills. Pittsburgh took the decision not to play Rodgers up until the weekend, informing Rodgers Saturday and publicly disclosing it two hours before kickoff against the Chicago Bears.
Mason Rudolph replaced Rodgers, throwing for 171 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one lost fumble as the offense scored 21 points (seven others came on a defensive score). Assuming Rodgers returns, Rudolph will be the backup Sunday against the Bills with Will Howard the emergency third-string quarterback.
Highsmith has missed the last two weeks with a pectoral injury. He returned to practice in limited fashion late last week but was ruled out last Saturday. Nick Herbig started in his place. Highsmith has battled injuries throughout the season and missed four games.
Porter, Jones, and Metcalf were injured Sunday against the Bears. Porter suffered a hip flexor, Jones a stinger, and Metcalf an ankle injury that appeared to be a sprain. Porter and Jones failed to finish while Metcalf gutted it out all game. Darius Slay replaced Porter while Anderson played in place of Jones. Skowronek caught one pass for 21 yards and was an asset as a blocker in the run game.
Pittsburgh will release its first injury report Wednesday with the final edition Friday.
The Steelers and Bills kick off Sunday at 4:25 PM/EST.