The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night and it’s too early to tell if the team will have inside linebacker Vince Williams back for that AFC North contest between the two winless teams.
“It feels like a strained hamstring,” Williams said Tuesday, according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m just listening to the trainers and the conditioning staff.”
Williams, who didn’t practice at all last week and ultimately missed the teams Sunday road game against the San Francisco 49ers, reportedly isn’t sure yet if he’ll be able to work Thursday.
Williams injured his hamstring early in the Steelers Week 2 home game against the Seattle Seahawks and his day ended after only playing 10 defensive snaps. The former sixth-round draft pick out of Florida State had already registered two tackles in that game against the Seahawks before leaving it with a hamstring injury.
Williams missed time during training camp and the preseason after injuring a hamstring during the team’s annual Friday night practice at Latrobe Memorial High School. He was able to play in the team’s third preseason game, however, and went on to play 22 defensive snaps and 10 special teams snap in the regular season opener against the New England Patriots.
The Steelers defenses certainly does miss Williams’ play against the run since he’s been sidelined. Since leaving the game against the Seahawks, opposing running backs have rushed for 260 yards and three touchdowns on 57 carries.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will meet the media on Wednesday and hopefully he’ll provide an update on williams during his press conference.
