Steelers down two, list four as questionable for Bengals clash
The short version
- Rico Dowdle (toe) and Gennings Dunker (knee) are out for Week 3 vs. Cincinnati.
- Warren, Pittman Jr., Porter Jr. and Dean are questionable after limited practice weeks.
- Jaylen Warren leads Pittsburgh with 89 rushing yards on 21 carries this season.
- Jalen Ramsey and Cole Holcomb practiced fully Friday and are expected to play.
Pittsburgh will be without Rico Dowdle and Gennings Dunker on Sunday, while Warren, Pittman, Porter and Dean remain game-day decisions against Cincinnati.
The Pittsburgh Steelers released their final injury report ahead of Sunday's AFC North meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, and the news is mixed. Two players have been declared out, four starters are listed as questionable, and several others are expected back after returning to full practice.
Running back Rico Dowdle (toe) and rookie guard Gennings Dunker (knee) will not play. Dowdle sat out every practice session during the week. Dunker was able to take part on a limited basis Thursday but was held out Friday.
Four players carry questionable designations into the weekend: wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot), running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder), and cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. (conditioning) and Jamel Dean (ankle). Each was limited throughout the week, and their final status will not be known until the inactive list is published before kickoff.
Among the questionable group, Warren's shoulder is the biggest worry for Pittsburgh. He leads the team's ground attack through two weeks with 89 yards on 21 carries, while Dowdle has contributed just 37 yards on 15 attempts. Running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. indicated the plan is for Warren to carry the lead workload with rotation support, and that the club anticipates he will be on the field despite the designation.
If Warren cannot go or needs relief, depth options are limited. Travis Homer, elevated for the New England game, produced 16 yards on two carries there and contributed on special teams. Rookie Eli Heidenreich is on the active roster without a defined role, and preseason standout Lew Nichols could receive an elevation from the practice squad. Pittsburgh has made at least one such elevation in each of the last two games.
The secondary also bears watching. Porter has not appeared this season while dealing with his conditioning issue, and Dean returned to limited practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with the ankle problem. Should either be unavailable, Asante Samuel Jr. would likely draw one of Cincinnati's top outside receivers. At receiver, Pittman sat out Week 2 and was limited all week; his absence would place a heavier load on rookies Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard.
There were positive developments Friday. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Cole Holcomb practiced in full after missing time earlier in the week for rest and personal reasons. Neither appears on the game status report, so both are expected to be available against the Bengals, giving Pittsburgh certainty at two positions amid the uncertainty elsewhere.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers kicks off Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 PM EDT from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, with the broadcast on CBS.
