Mike Tomlin admits injuries concern for Pittsburgh Steelers versus Cincinnati Bengals – NFL News
The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to head into the playoff decider against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday (Dec. 22) without some key players due to their respective injury scares, much to the disappointment of coach Mike Tomlin.
First one uncertain for the weekend’s game is cornerback Ike Taylor, who has fractured his ankle. It will be his third straight miss since suffering the injury, and there is a possibility that the season might well be over for him now, with only one more
game to go after this Sunday in the regular season.
Coach Tomlin said Taylor has been progressing well in the recovery process but they will have to find someone to cover his position against the Bengals’ young offensive crop led by quarterback Andy Dalton.
The Steelers have also placed fill-in cornerback DeMarcus Van d**e on the injured reserve list now, surely ending the season for him. He injured his shoulder in the Dallas Cowboys' game on Sunday December 16.
Meanwhile, the team has also placed guard Willie Colon on the season ending IR list. He injured knee earlier in the season and the injury was aggravated in the week 14 versus the San Diego Chargers.
It is another serious blow to the team after absence of safety Troy Polamalu, running back Rashard Mendenhall and linebacker James Harrison, earlier in the season. They are lucky that Mendenhall was back to practice on Monday.
The team is also not hundred percent about health of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He missed the action for three weeks with rib and shoulder injuries last month. He is back on the starting line since last two games, but apparently not feeling comfortable
and his form has also been affected to an extent. He is 0-2 as an offence leader since return on the starting line.
Tomlin admits the Steelers have an important task of beating the Bengals to stay alive in race for the playoffs through second wildcard opportunity. He however is not happy with growing number of injury scares at crucial juncture of the season.
The Bengals at 8-6 are already a win ahead of the Steelers (7-7), and a win versus the hosts will confirm their place in the second round.
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