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Brooke Pryor, ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH — The Steelers will probably be with out their high extensive receiver George Pickens on Sunday towards the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pickens is recovering from a hamstring harm incurred within the days earlier than the Steelers’ Week 14 win towards the Cleveland Browns. He was dominated out in Friday’s last harm report after not training all week.
Pittsburgh additionally dominated out security DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive finish Larry Ogunjobi (groin) after neither practiced all week.
Without Elliott, the Steelers have a big void of their run protection as they put together to face NFL main rusher Saquon Barkley.
“As subsequent man up, I feel we predicate ourselves as a protection that prides themselves on smashing the run,” security Minkah Fitzpatrick mentioned. “So whether or not our high run defender is out or not, we nonetheless bought to try this.”
Since being acquired in free company earlier this 12 months, Elliott has been a disruptive pressure within the secondary with one interception, two compelled fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 6 passes defensed. With Elliott out, the Steelers will rely extra on versatile defensive again Cameron Sutton and security Damontae Kazee to play alongside Fitzpatrick.
“All the fellows that we now have in our secondary, we performed plenty of ball collectively,” Fitzpatrick mentioned. “So when a man does go down, it’s comforting to know that we performed plenty of ball with the subsequent man up. So there’s not plenty of communication or lack of belief there.”
Ogunjobi has 1.5 sacks this season alongside 37 tackles, together with 5 for loss. He has additionally recorded seven quarterback hits.
With Ogunjobi sidelined, the Steelers will lean on a mix of Dean Lowry, Keeanu Benton and Isaiahh Loudermilk to play up entrance with Cam Heyward.
The Steelers additionally listed nostril deal with Montravius Adams as questionable for Sunday’s recreation, although he’s nonetheless on injured reserve and must be activated Saturday so as to play.
