Like most teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers are a banged up group heading into their Week 10 Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field. Below is a player-by-player look at the injured players.
Troy Polamalu – Polamalu once again did not practice this week and he will miss his 5th straight game, and 7th of the season, Monday night against the Chiefs with a calf injury. The hope is that the Steelers safety will be able to return for the Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday. Wednesday will be a key day for Polamalu practice wise. Should he not be able to practice fully by Thursday, he will likely be out for that game as well.
Marcus Gilbert – Gilbert was able to get back on the practice field on Thursday for the first time since suffering an injured tendon in his ankle against the Tennessee Titans back in Week 5, but he was unable to practice on Friday or Saturday. Gilbert was not likely to suit up for the Monday night game against the Chiefs and there is some concern that he may have suffered a setback of sorts after practicing on Thursday. As it looks right now, Gilbert will not be ready for the game against the Ravens next Sunday and he should be considered week-to-week moving forward.
Stevenson Sylvester – Sylvester injured his hamstring on special teams against the Washington Redskins back in Week 8 and he sat out the game last Sunday against the New York Giants as a result. The Steelers third-year linebacker was unable to practice this past week and has been ruled for the Monday night game against the Chiefs. Sylvester should be considered week-to-week right now.
Rashard Mendenhall – Mendenhall continues to remain limited in practice as he continues to fight back from the Achilles strain that he suffered against the Titans. The running back will miss his 6th game of the season Monday night as he is listed as doubtful. The good news is that Mendenhall hasn\’t appeared to suffer any sort of a setback the last few weeks in practice so hopefully he will be ready to practice fully next week and play against the Ravens next Sunday.
Antonio Brown – Brown suffered a left high ankle sprain in the first half of the game against the Giants last Sunday and will not play Monday night against the Chiefs as a result. There is a report that surfaced on Saturday that claimed the injury could keep him sidelined a few more weeks in addition. We should know more come Tuesday when head coach Mike Tomlin meets the media for his weekly press conference, but it is looking right now like he could miss the game next Sunday against the Ravens.
Chris Carter – Carter was added to the Steelers injury report on Saturday with an abdomen injury and listed as questionable. There is a good chance that Carter might now miss the Monday night game against the Chiefs as a result. The good news is that it wasn\’t a hamstring injury as he has been plagued by that in the past. As of right now I would think that he would be considered day-to-day.
Jonathan Dwyer – Dwyer suffered a right quad injury on his final carry against the Redskins and it forced him to sit out the game last Sunday against the Giants. Dwyer was able to practice fully this past week and he should be able to play Monday night against the Chiefs after being listed as probable on the Saturday injury report.
Chris Rainey – Rainey says that he suffered a cracked rib in the game against the Giants last Sunday, but he was able to practice fully all week just the same. The rookie said on Friday that he intends to play Monday night and he will likely need to wear some extra padding to help protect his midsection. For now the injury appears to be one that is painful, but it shouldn\’t force him to miss any playing time.
Shaun Suisham – Suisham continues to be bothered by a left ankle sprain that he suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers kicker was able to practice fully all week so there is no reason for concern at this time.
David DeCastro – DeCastro continues to work on the side with the trainers and he remains on the injured reserve list with the new \’designated to return\’ tag. The video on Friday showed him wearing a brace on his left knee and the speculation is that he is still several weeks away from being ready to play after suffering a nasty knee injury in the preseason.
