Injuries to three Steelers’ starters could have the team’s roster in flux in Week 6

The Steelers had three players who left their 26-23 loss Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens who were unable to return. In the first half, inside linebacker Mark Barron came out of the game with a hamstring injury and did not return to the field.

Barron left with four tackles on the day. More importantly, he had the radio in his helmet for the defense in order to make the defensive play calls. In Barron’s absence, Devin Bush and Vince Williams played a greater number of snaps while Tyler Matakevich also filled in for some situations. Bush finished the game with eight tackles and an interception while Williams had nine tackles, a sack, and a pass defensed. Matakevich added four tackles in his time filling in for Barron.

With 7:17 remaining in the third quarter, Mason Rudolph shed off a possible sack to roll out and hit James Washington on a 26 yard gain. In completing in the pass, Rudolph was struck with a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit by Ravens’ safety Earl Thomas. Rudolph appeared to lose consciousness before hitting the ground. Although the medical cart was brought onto the field, Rudolph was able to walk off and into the locker room with the assistance of his teammates.

Rudolph had 13 of 20 passing for 131 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. Devlin Hodges came in and relief in his first NFL game action and went seven of nine for 68 yards and added a 21 yard scramble.

Rudolph was taken to a local hospital for further observation and was released but remains in the NFL concussion protocol according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

On the same drive in which Rudolph was knocked out, wide receiver James Washington was seen wincing in pain after taking a hard shot in the back from a Raven’s defender. It was reported at the conclusion of the scoring drive that Washington was escorted to the locker room.

Before his exit, Washington caught three balls on six targets for 52 yards.

Following the game, head coach Mike Tomlin did not have any further updates on any players as it comes to their status for Week 6. Coach Tomlin will address the media again on Tuesday at noon where he could give updates on any injuries. Although for this season, Coach Tomlin has not offered too much as to statuses of players until the injury report comes out following Wednesday’s practice.