The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has been hit with the injury bug repeatedly this season, and the trend continues as Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports second-year safety Shamarko Thomas, who was limited in practice Thursday, will not play against the Tennessee Titans on Monday night.
Thomas has sustained injuries to both hamstrings this season, and the latest hamstring injury looks to keep him out of this Week 11 matchup, but there's hope for his full return after the bye week.
The Steelers will rely on veteran safety Will Allen to fill the role at safety in this game and, fortunately for the Steelers, backup safety and special teams player Ross Ventrone looks to make his return to the lineup Monday barring a setback of his own hamstring injury.
The Steelers depleted situation at the safety position will possibly benefit most from the bye week following the game against the Titans on Monday Night Football, when they hopefully will get a few injured players back on the field.
The news of Shamarko Thomas missing the upcoming game comes on the heels of nose tackle Steve McLendon's shoulder injury keeping him out of the lineup on Monday Night Football as well, which will pave the way for rookie Daniel McCullers to get the first start of his career.
The Steelers will now be without four starting defenders, all out due to injury, as they head to Nashville for a prime-time game.