Steelers suffer two key injuries in Week 5 win over the Broncos

The Pittsburgh Steelers were a banged up team heading into the Week 5 game vs. the Denver Broncos, and it only got worse after the 27-19 win. During the game the team lost two key players to injury, and another key player to what is hopefully deemed rather minor.

First, after the game Mike Tomlin said inside linebacker Devin Bush injured his groin and was unable to return. Bush had already missed the Week 2 game vs. the Las Vegas Raiders with a groin injury, and it was unknown at the time if it was the same groin injury, or the other leg which was injured.

Second, Tomlin said JuJu Smith-Schuster injured his shoulder, something which was very obvious while watching the game, but also added Smith-Schuster was receiving further treatment at the hospital. This would show the injury is more serious than your typical football shoulder injury.

Lastly, Najee Harris was unable to finish the game and was seen stretching his lower leg on the sideline. Tomlin labeled his issues as cramps and said it shouldn’t hinder him moving forward.

Other than those aforementioned injuries, the only other issues the Steelers injuries were what Tomlin labels “bumps and bruises associated with the game of football.”

When you look at the wide receiver depth chart, the loss of Smith-Schuster means the team will hopefully get James Washington back, who missed Week 5 with a groin injury, to help solidify the depth at the position. In the wake of Bush’s injury, Robert Spillane filled in for the remainder of the game.

The Seattle Seahawks come to Heinz Field in Week 6, and it looks like the defense won’t have to worry about Russell Wilson due to a finger injury on his throwing hand suffered vs. the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. With the Week 7 bye week on the horizon, and as banged up as the Steelers currently are, the bye can’t get here soon enough.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Seahawks in Week 6 NFL action.