Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk (high ankle) and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (high ankle sprain) for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
Tomlin said Loudermilk’s high ankle sprain is a multiple weeks injury, while Highsmith’s is less significant.
Linebacker Patrick Queen (oblique) and cornerback Darius Slay (shoulder) are probable, while defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (knee), strong safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) are questionable. Harmon, Elliott and Porter were out in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Loudermilk suffered a right ankle injury on the opening drive of Sunday’s 31-17 loss against the Seattle Seahawks and he was shortly after ruled out for the rest of the game. He was then seen on crutches and in a boot following the game and is now expected to be sidelined through at least the team’s Week 5 bye.
The Steelers are already thin on the defensive line, as rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is recovering from a knee injury suffered in the preseason finale.
Rookie Yahya Black will have to step up in Loudermilk’s absence. Logan Lee and Daniel Ekuale will also see playing time.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Highsmith will not to be placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s game. Being placed on IR would’ve knocked him out four games.
Highsmith did not return to the game on Sunday after suffering the injury. Highsmith tweaked his ankle during the Steelers’ Friday practice, but suited up for the matchup against Sam Darnold’s offense.
Highsmith missed all of the preseason with a groin injury suffered during a 1-on-1 drill during training camp. He healed up from that ailment quickly enough to get back on the field for the Steelers’ season opener against the New York Jets. In that one, Highsmith had the Steelers’ only sack against former teammate Justin Fields, who rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
The Steelers suffered a slew of injuries in Sunday’s loss to Seattle.
“We had some injuries. [Isaiahh] Loudermilk had a high ankle. [Alex] Highsmith had a high ankle. Patrick Queen had a rib injury. Payton Wilson, it was just heat-related fatigue,” Tomlin said after the game. “He missed a block of time. A couple of other guys went in and out and were capable of returning. James Pierre being one of them.”
Queen suffered a oblique injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. Queen was evaluated in the blue medical tent and was listed as questionable before returning.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Rule Out Two Players vs. Patriots
