Steelers Now
Several Pittsburgh Steelers players went down with injuries in the team’s 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland. Two starters — cornerback Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) and wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) did not return.
“Calvin Austin’s got a shoulder (injury),” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said afterward. “I think he’s at the hospital being evaluated. Jalen Ramsey was in and out of the game with a hamstring. Brandin Echols had cramps. [Darius] Slay got cleated. You know, we were leaking a little bit in the secondary coming into the game without Joey Porter. But such is life.”
Austin caught a pass early in the fourth quarter, then exited to the locker to get looked at. A week earlier, the speedy wideout caught the go-ahead score in a 21-14 win over the New England Patriots. Austin had two catches for 13 yards against the Vikings.
Covering Jordan Addison during the third quarter, Ramsey slowed and grabbed his left hamstring. He exited the field limping and was looked at by trainers.
The Steelers are missing third-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s Week 1 win over the New York Jets. Safety DeShon Elliott returned for the game against the Vikings after missing two weeks with a knee injury. He intercepted Carson Wentz earlier in the day.
Late in the fourth quarter, Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols went down due to cramps.
Echols was the second cornerback to leave the game, joining Ramsey. The Steelers were down to only two cornerbacks — Darius Slay and James Pierre.
On the next play after Echols left the game, Carson Wentz connected to Jordan Addison for an 81-yard gain. Four plays later, Wentz found Jalen Nailor for a 2-yard touchdown to cut the Steelers’ lead to 24-21.
Echols had a key interception and game-sealing tackle in the Steelers’ 21-14 win over the New England Patriots last Sunday. Echols signed with the Steelers this offseason after playing his first four seasons with the New York Jets.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Lose Two Starters to Injury in Win over Vikings
