Steelers Injury Report: two more defensive backs go down in Steelers' Week 15 loss

Steelers back-up defensive back DeMarcus Van Dyke has been deactivated most of the second half of this season. He was pressed into playing time Sunday as the injury-depleted Steelers took on the injury-depleted Cowboys in Week 15.

Van Dyke lasted one play - ONE PLAY - before injuring his shoulder. He was lost for the game.

Such is the way of things for the Steelers recently as they head into a Week 16 playoff game against Cincinnati.

Van Dyke dressed for this game due to a thinned out Steelers' defensive secondary and the subsequent strain that put on special teams. By the end of the game, the secondary itself was strained when cornerback Keenan Lewis bounced off the Cowboys Stadium turf in what looked to be a painful hip pointer or thigh contusion.

Lewis was nursing a hip injury during the week leading into this game. His status for next week is unknown.

The fact is, though, the Steelers need to get Allen and/or Taylor back next week. Allen is a stronger possibility, as Taylor's leg fracture will probably keep him out another week.

Those injuries pushed into service Josh Victorian, who started for Allen, and was picked on relentlessly by Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Lewis's injury moved previously demoted cornerback Curtis Brown into his spot, and forced undrafted rookie safety Robert Golden to cover the slot late in the game.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders suffered a rib injury during the game - one in which he failed to catch a pass, and dropped his only target early in the first half.

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