Pittsburgh Steelers release final injury report for game against Chargers
A couple big names won’t play for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. They released their final injury report Friday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
TJ Watt suffered multiple injuries in last week’s game against the Detroit Lions and didn’t practice all week. Cornerback Joe Haden and offensive lineman Kevin Dotson also didn’t practice all week, which means the Steelers’ starting lineup is going to look different this week.
Pittsburgh and Los Angeles get the primetime treatment this week on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
Steelers vs. Chargers injury report
Out — CB Joe Haden (foot), OL Kevin Dotson (ankle), LB TJ Watt (hip/knee), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (COVID-19), DE Isaiahh Loudermilk (groin)
Haden, Dotson and Watt are the biggest names to miss Sunday’s game. Fitzpatrick isn’t on the injury report because he’s on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but he won’t be able to play this week after a positive test. His absence is another huge loss for the Steelers.
Watt is probably the biggest loss for this week. He has 12.5 sacks this season, which ranks second in the NFL. He went down with hip and knee injuries in last week’s game.
Haden is second on the team with five passes defended and suffered a mid-foot sprain last week against Detroit. Although the Steelers said it’s “nothing serious,” he didn’t practice at all this week. That means he won’t be able to play against the Chargers.
Dotson suffered a high ankle sprain and is reportedly going to miss multiple weeks with the injury. It’s just another hit to the offensive line which appears to be getting BJ Finney back this week.
No injury desgination — WR Chase Claypool (toe), OT Cameron Heyward (coaches decision)
Claypool suffered a toe injury in the Steelers’ Monday Night Football win over the Chicago Bears two weeks ago and didn’t play against Detroit last week. He started the week limited in practice, but wound up practicing in full on Friday to shed an injury designation. He’ll be a full go against Los Angeles.
Heyward wasn’t dealing with an injury and was limited Wednesday as a “coaches decision.” He’s good to go for Sunday night.
While he can’t be on the injury report because he’s on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said there’s a chance Ben Roethlisberger plays Sunday. Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID-19, but he’s fully vaccinated, which means he can return sooner if he tests negative twice over 24 hours and clears NFL protocols.
Pittsburgh has until Saturday at 4 p.m. ET to activate Roethlisberger if he’s able to go.