Cornerback Donte Jackson’s bad back is acting up again and he was added to the Steelers’ injury report yesterday. Jackson was a limited participant as the team is just two days away from a Saturday night matchup with Cincinnati in the regular season finale. Jackson was injured December 15th against Philadelphia and missed the next game, at Baltimore, before returning for the Christmas Day loss against Kansas City.
Almost all of the Steelers’ previously limited players were upgraded to full participant status yesterday, including cornerback Joey Porter Jr., running back Jaylen Warren, wide receivers Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson, and backup quarterback Justin Fields. Long-term injured players Cole Holcomb and Logan Lee remained limited.
The Steelers are carrying a three-game losing streak into a game against a team they beat 44-38 on December 1st. The Bengals will be trying to stay in contention for the AFC’s final playoff slot, so they’ll be hungry for a win.
Quarterback Russell Wilson says they are filtering out the “noise” from naysayers who think they are finished.
Strong safety DeShon Elliott says they want to go into the playoffs with momentum so they are all-in for the game on Saturday night.
For the fifth time in his eight-year career, linebacker TJ Watt has been voted by his teammates as the Steelers MVP. Despite constant double teams, Watt has 11-and-a-half sacks and 61 tackles, 40 of them solo tackles, with six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
NFL
Saquon Barkley will not get a chance to pass Eric Dickerson for the NFL’s all-time single-season rushing record. The Philadelphia Eagles will sit Barkley on Sunday against the New York Giants to avoid a possible injury. Barkley is 101 yards shy of Dickerson’s 1984 total of 2.105 yards rushing.
