Artie Burns joins JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner as injured Steelers out vs. Bengals

CINCINNATI – In addition to three opening-day starters who were weeks ago determined to be out for the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers go into Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals without three Pro Bowl talents from a year ago.

Running back James Conner, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and center Maurkice Pouncey are not part of the 46-man gameday roster for the game at Paul Brown Stadium. Conner will miss a game for the third time over the past four weeks because of a shoulder injury, Smith-Schuster is out after suffering a concussion and knee injury on the same hit during last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns and Pouncey is serving the first game of a two-game suspension for punching and kicking Cleveland’s Myles Garrett late in that contest.

Conner had 125 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown when the Steelers beat the Bengals at Heinz Field in September.

Benny Snell returns Sunday from a three-game absence because of knee surgery and will help replace Conner. A rookie, Snell is an Ohio native who starred at nearby University of Kentucky.

Veteran B.J. Finney is making his third career start at center in place of Pouncey, with Patrick Morris making his NFL debut as Finney’s backup.

Newly-signed Deon Cain will help fill in for Smith-Schuster. Rookie Diontae Johnson, second-year James Washington, practice-squad call-up Tevin Jones and special-teamer Johnny Holton are Mason Rudolph’s weapons at wide receiver Sunday.

Be back soon ?�� pic.twitter.com/l77pDqf0oX

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) November 24, 2019

Reserve cornerback Artie Burns is inactive Sunday because of a knee injury suffered at practice this week. The Steelers healthy scratches are quarterback Paxton Lynch, offensive tackle Chuks Okorafor, tight end Zach Gentry and newly re-signed linebacker Tuzar Skipper.

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