Vince Williams injury: rookie linebacker goes down with concussion, replaced by Stevenson Sylvester

Steelers rookie linebacker Vince Williams went down with what appeared to be a head injury during the third quarter of the Steelers' Week 9 game at New England.

The Steelers were trailing at the time of the injury, as they have been all game. The Patriots scored on the drive, and had begun running at will on the overpowered Steelers' defense.

Stevenson Sylvester replaced him opposite Lawrence Timmons, and the impact seemed to be minimal, if anything. The Steelers allowed a backbreaking touchdown, a one-yard plunge by Stevan Ridley.

The Steelers scored to pull within 10 at 41-31, but the defense again folded, allowing a season-high 81-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Aaron Dobson.

Williams had three tackles at the time of his injury.

The Steelers will drop their sixth game this season, falling to 2-6 - the worst eight-game start the team has had since 2006, and the worst of Mike Tomlin's head coaching career.

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• Steelers need to answer the count after absorbing haymaker from Patriots
• Winners and Losers from the Steelers' loss to New England in Week 9
• Steelers vs. Patriots final score: New England wins 55-31, most points Pittsburgh has ever allowed in a game
• Marcus Gilbert injury: Steelers right tackle goes down in fourth quarter of Week 9 game vs. Patriots

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