The Steelers will play the Miami Dolphins tonight at Acrisure Stadium, missing at least two defensive starters.
Cornerback James Pierre has been ruled out with a calf injury and edge rusher TJ Watt will be absent due to his collapsed lung, suffered last week during a medical treatment. Asante Samuel Jr. will start in place of Pierre and Nick Herbig will take over Watt’s spot on the left outside edge. In addition, defensive lineman Derrick Harmon is officially listed as questionable due to his ongoing knee issues.
On the offensive side of the ball, tackle Andrus Peat is out with ongoing concussion symptoms. With Broderick Jones and Valcin Anderson both now ruled out for the remainder of the season, the starting left tackle is fourth stringer Dylan Cook. Tight end Darnell Washington is questionable with concussion symptoms, but he is back to practicing fully.
Defensive lineman Cam Heyward says, even without Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and rookie Jack Sawyer can put plenty of pressure on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Heyward says Highsmith has taken his game to a new level this season.
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane is third in the NFL in total rushing yards and leads in yard per carry (5.8), and he has been cleared to play tonight with extra padding to protect his injured ribs. Heyward says Achane is a difference maker.
The Ravens kept the pressure on the Steelers in the AFC North with a 24-0 win over the Bengals yesterday. The Steelers are 7-6 heading into tonight’s game and Baltimore is 7-7. The Bengals were officially eliminated from the postseason with their loss. The other AFC North team, the Browns, are 3-11 and had already been eliminated. They lost to the Bears, 31-3.
NFL
The Chiefs were eliminated from the postseason with their loss to the Chargers and they also lost quarterback Patrick Maholmes, who tore his ACL when he was hit on the last series of the game.
Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons is out for the season after tearing his ACL in Green Bay’s loss to Denver.
