The Pittsburgh Steelers have ruled out four players for the Monday Night season opener against the Washington Redskins: WR Markus Wheaton, FB Roosevelt Nix, C Cody Wallace, and CB Senquez Golson.
Wheaton seemed confident early in the week he’d be able to play but has dealt with nagging injuries all camp, most recently the shoulder, which will keep him out this week.
That means the team will be without Le’Veon Bell, Ladarius Green, Martavis Bryant, and Wheaton, four of their top weapons either last year or in expectation this season.
Nix missed most of the preseason too, though his injury seemed to fly under the radar. He’s a loss for a team that likes to sprinkle in some 22 personnel. Nix is also one of the Steelers’ best special teamers.
Wallace hyperextended his knee early in the preseason and hasn’t practiced since. Chris Hubbard figures to be active to replace him and it’s likely B.J. Finney will get a hat, too.
Golson suffered a broken foot early in training camp and is expected to be out for roughly the the next six to eight weeks.
On the positive side, Marcus Gilbert and Cam Heyward seem likely to suit up for the opener. Gilbert injured a ligament in his elbow while Heyward suffered a high ankle sprain in the third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.
