The injuries continue to pile up almost as quickly as the losses have for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Monday, it was special-teamer Derek Watt and tight end Eric Ebron who were forced out of Monday’s game during the first half because of injuries, although fill-in starting linebacker Marcus Allen was able to return after a neck injury caused him to leave the 27-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter.
“Derek Watt had a concussion and wasn’t able to come back, Ebron had a back injury and is being evaluated… and Marcus Allen had a stinger that he was able to come back from,” coach Mike Tomlin said after the game.
Watt’s injury came on the fifth play of the game when he launched awkwardly and collided with returner Alex Erickson. Watt appeared visibly dazed and needed assistance walking off the field.
Ebron’s injury occurred when he was attempting to make a catch on a second-quarter throw but collided with Bengals defenders. His absence left the Steelers with only Vance McDonald at tight end the rest of the game. Earlier in the day, the Steelers released Kevin Rader. Rader could be brought back, perhaps, to the practice squad. Charles Jones is a tight end currently on the practice squad.
Watt is the only listed fullback on the Steelers’ roster, although it’s a position they rarely use on offense.
On a three-game losing streak after an 11-0 start, the Steelers have five starters on their injured reserve list and two other players who would have started Monday — running back James Conner and guard Kevin Dotson — ruled out because of injury.
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