Steelers injuries continue to mount after Week 14 loss to the Bills

The Pittsburgh Steelers were already dealt several blows to their roster heading into the Week 14 game vs. the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. Already without their starting right tackle, starting inside linebacker and their starting outside linebacker, the team knew all about key injuries.

Well, it looks like the Steelers’ laundry list of injuries continued to grow after the Week 14 loss to Buffalo. The position group which took the biggest hit? The offensive line.

Offensive guard Matt Feiler left the game Sunday with what was called a shoulder injury, and his replacement, rookie Kevin Dotson, had the same injury and left the game as well. After the game, Mike Tomlin said both were injured, but he labeled the injuries differently.

This per Teresa Varley of Steelers.com:

Is there a difference between a shoulder and pectoral injury? Absolutely there is, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the season is over for either Feiler or Dotson. Fans should remember Stefen Wisniewski injured his pectoral muscle in Week 1, and spent several weeks on Injured Reserve before ultimately being released. However, pectoral injuries have ended seasons, like Stephon Tuitt in 2019, as well.

Whether these two linemen are lost for a couple games or the rest of the season, the Steelers’ depth along their line will be tested in a way few have ever seen before. Expect J.C. Hassenauer and even names like Derwin Gray to be tossed around as the Steelers try to put a patchwork line together to help get this team an AFC North division win, and hopefully a deep run in the postseason.

On top of the Feiler and Dotson injuries, the Steelers also saw Alex Highsmith and Chukwuma Okorafor leave the game with injuries, but both were able to return to the game.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 on Monday Night Football.