Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out special teams ace Miles Killebrew (knee) for Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tomlin said after Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns that Killebrew suffered a significant knee injury.
“We got some bumps and bruises associated with play. The only one that’s worth mentioning of any significance is Miles Killebrew. He’s got a significant knee injury,” ” Tomlin said after the game. “I’ll have more updates I’m sure in the not so distant future about the details of that.”
Killebrew exited Sunday’s matchup with the Browns with a right knee injury. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game as his team led 9-0 in the second quarter.
Killebrew, a team captain, was helped off the field and couldn’t put much weight on his right leg. He was ushered into the blue medical tent on the sideline. He was carted to the locker room afterward.
The Detroit Lions drafted Killebrew in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with them before joining the Steelers ahead of the 2021 campaign. Since then, he’s made 60 combined tackles. He was a first-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2023.
Killebrew is also part of a safety room that includes DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark, Juan Thornhill and Jabrill Peppers. The Steelers signed Killebrew to a two-year extension in March 2024.
“He’s our captain,” Tomlin said on losing Killebrew. “You know motto we live by. We can hurt for him as man, teammate and individual. But one’s man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.”
When asked if the playing surface was a factor in Killebrew’s injury, Tomlin said, “I have no idea.”
Darius Slay suffered a shoulder injury during the third quarter and was listed as questionable to return, then Brandin Echols was banged up before Joey Porter Jr. in the fourth. Before Porter made his way off the field and into the blue medical tent, he nearly intercepted a Dillon Gabriel pass meant for Jerry Jeudy. The Browns had to settle for a field goal to make it a 23-9 count.
Porter was evaluated for a head injury. Porter exited the tent without a helmet, jogged back and forth on the sideline and ducked back under the cover. He left the tent, put his helmet back on and returned to the game.
Tomlin said Slay and Porter did not have any lingering issues from their injuries on Sunday and are good to go for Thursday night.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Rule Out Key Player vs. Bengals
