Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Wednesday injury report

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) have released their Wednesday injury report ahead of Saturday’s Week 16 home contest against the Cincinnati Bengals (8-6).

Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has missed the last two weeks with a high ankle sprain, was listed as a limited participant for the second consecutive day. While Pickett hasn’t yet been ruled out, the plan remains for Mason Rudolph to get the start under center against Cincinnati.

“We had a good day today,” head coach Mike Tomlin said of Pickett. “We’ll see how his body responds to the work today and make plans for tomorrow accordingly. He is where I thought he would be. Tomorrow is a big day.”

Steelers Wednesday injury report

QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) – Limited
S Trenton Thompson (Neck) – DNP
RB Najee Harris (Knee) – Full
S Elijah Riley (Ankle) – Full
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) – DNP
OG Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) – Limited
OT Broderick Jones (Ankle) – Full
TE Pat Freiermuth (Knee) – Full
DT Cameron Heyward (Concussion) – Full

The Steelers have dropped three straight games and are on the outside looking in of the playoff picture in the AFC. The skid has coincided with Pickett’s injury, forcing them to start Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky struggled against Indianapolis and was subsequently yanked for Rudolph late in the game. Although Rudolph hasn’t played since December 2021, he still owns a 5-4-1 career record as Steelers starter. He has thrown for 2,369 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his career.

“I’ve got a lot of good relationships with the guys in the locker room,” Rudolph said. “I think anytime you’re here as long as I’ve been here, you had better have some or you’re probably not a good dude. But yeah, guys are excited for me. And I’m excited to go out there. You know, you think as it has a third-string quarterback, you feel like you’re sort really earning your paycheck week to week. And so, I finally get to earn it this week. Put my hand in the pile and go fight for victory together.”

Elsewhere on the injury front, running back Najee Harris and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick were both held out with knee injuries for the second consecutive day.