Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have ruled out three key defensive starters for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots — cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), strong safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith ( ankle).
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled Highsmith out during his Tuesday press conference. He tabbed Porter and Elliott as “questionable at best.” Porter, Elliott and Highsmith did not practice all week.
Elliott suffered a knee injury during the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the New York Jets. He did not return to the game and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain. Elliott did not play in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Porter Jr. suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Jets. Tomlin said he was held out as a precaution, but Porter did not practice the following week and missed the team’s Week 2 game.
Highsmith was limited in practice on Friday, Sept. 12 — the first sign that there was a problem with his left ankle. He tried to play in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, but left the game in the first half and did not return.
Highsmith is expected to avoid injured reserve, but he could be out for a couple of weeks.
Tomlin listed linebacker Patrick Queen (oblique) and cornerback Darius Slay (shoulder) as a probable in the beginning of the week. Other than a vets day off for Slay on Thursday, both players were full participants in practice this week and do not have an injury designation for Sunday.
Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (knee) was a full practice participant on Friday after being limited on Thursday and Wednesday. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday.
Harmon declared on Wednesday that he’s ready to return after missing the first two games due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason finale.
“I’m ready to go,” Harmon said. “If my number is called, I’m ready to go.”
It’s been tough for the first-rounder out of Oregon to sit the first two games, but facing adversity is something that he’s used to.
“It’s been tough,” Harmon said. “Your first year you want to be out there. First game, first few games not being out there to help the team, it hurts.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life, so emotionally I feel like I’m battle tested. Nothing too much can test me. Right now, by biggest focus is getting out there and helping this team win games.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Rule Out Three Key Starters vs. Patriots
