Steelers Injury Report: Anthony Chickillo ankle injury will make for some tough decisions

The good news for the Pittsburgh Steelers is how they were able to get out of their physical Week 11 game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars without any huge injuries. In fact, after the game head coach Mike Tomlin had only one name to name in regards to injuries.

This would be the bad news. The injury was to outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo.

Chickillo is a special teams player, and backup pass rusher, but what complicates this injury is the Steelers’ decision to go into the season with only three outside linebackers on their roster. Tomlin didn’t know the severity of the injury, but said he will be evaluated leading up to the Week 12 game against the Denver Broncos.

Check out the post-game press conference here:

If Chickillo isn’t able to play, the team would have to make some tough decisions, considering there are no other natural 3-4 outside linebackers on the roster. Asking T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree to play 100% of snaps would be a tall task for even the best book end pass rushers; however, it doesn’t mean the Steelers don’t have options.

Ola Adeniyi is currently on injured reserve, and could be brought off that list to help the team at the pass rusher position, but the Steelers would have to release someone to make room for him on the team’s roster.

This could turn out to be nothing, but Chickillo’s injury will be something to keep an eye on this week considering there could be a ripple effect within the roster if he is unable to play in Week 12.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they turn the page and try to win their 7th game in a row vs. the Broncos in Denver next Sunday.