The Pittsburgh Steelers came away with a 34-32 shootout victory over the New York Jets. The win came at the cost of several injuries. Speaking to reporters following the game, head coach Mike Tomlin offered an overview of the health of the team.
“DeShon Elliott has a knee injury that’s being evaluated,” Tomlin said to reporters Sunday afternoon via the team’s YouTube channel. “Malik Harrison also has a knee injury that’s being evaluated. Joey Porter Jr.’s hamstring got tight, and we shut him down so it didn’t get any worse than it was.”
Tomlin noted DL Cam Heyward was poked in the eye. He missed Justin Fields’ 4th-and-goal rushing touchdown but returned to finish the game.
Elliott got his leg awkwardly twisted in the first half while attempting to tackle RB Breece Hall. He walked off under his own power but was initially ruled doubtful before being downgraded to out. Veteran Chuck Clark, a former New York Jet and signed by Pittsburgh during training camp, finished the game in Elliott’s place. Clark tied for the team lead with eight tackles, six solo, in relief.
Porter’s hamstring injury left Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Brandin Echols to finish the game as Pittsburgh’s three cornerbacks. Before exiting, Porter had one solo tackle.
Harrison suffered a knee injury and was ruled out. He rotated in at inside linebacker and outside linebacker, seeing some work at the latter due to Nick Herbig missing the game due to injury. Jack Sawyer saw increased reps and finished with one tackle.
In addition to Herbig, rookie DL Derrick Harmon did not dress due to an MCL sprain suffered during training camp. QB Skylar Thompson ended the week questionable with a hamstring injury but dressed as the emergency third-string quarterback.
All of the above will try and get cleared for the Steelers’ home opener next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is set for 1 PM/EST.
