CINCINNATI — For a third consecutive game, starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was among the Pittsburgh Steelers’ inactives for Sunday’s matchup with the Bengals.
Highsmith has not played since suffering an ankle injury late in the Nov. 10 win at the Washington Commanders. Coach Mike Tomlin had expressed optimism Highsmith could return this week, but Highsmith never achieved full practice participation and entered the weekend listed on the league-mandated status report as doubtful to play in Cincinnati.
Highsmith was the only Steelers player whose status was in question because of injury. The team’s healthy scratches against the Bengals were veteran wide receiver Scotty Miller, reserve running back Jonathan Ward and backup offensive lineman Max Scharping. Kyle Allen was designated as the “emergency” No. 3 quarterback.
No Wilson for Bengals
Cincinnati was without its leading tackler, linebacker Logan Wilson, because of a knee injury suffered in the Bengals’ most recent game Nov. 17. Also out because of injury is wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin), but starting left tackle Orlando Brown returned to the lineup after more than a month’s absence because of a fibula injury. He entered the weekend with a questionable designation.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was not in the lineup against the Steelers after missing practice all week for what the team termed as “illness.”
The Bengals’ healthy scratches were wide receiver Trenton Irwin and tight end Tanner McLachlan.
