Isaiah Buggs a healthy scratch for Steelers vs. Bengals

CINCINNATI — Attrition has hit the defensive line hard, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are electing to sit one of their lineman on the 53-man roster anyway.

Third-year defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs was among three healthy scratches for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Mike Tomlin said that decision was not related to injury.

The team also on Saturday had announced that defensive lineman Daniel Archibong was called up from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Archibong played eight snaps during his NFL debut as a call-up during last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers; Buggs played 28 snaps.

Buggs has played in 29 games for the Steelers since he was a seventh-round pick in 2019.

On the defensive line, the Steelers have been playing without veteran starters Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu as well as second-year reserve Carlos Davis virtually all season while each has been on IR. Last week, they also played without rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk, but Loudermilk has returned to the lineup after his groin injury.

The Steelers announced Saturday that veteran cornerback Joe Haden would miss a second consecutive game because of a foot injury. That left James Pierre to again serve as an every-down outside cornerback against Cincinnati.

Wide receiver Anthony Miller and offensive lineman John Leglue made their Steelers’ in-uniform regular-season debuts. A four-year NFL veteran, Miller was another call-up from the practice squad to the active roster to face the Bengals. Additionally, Leglue was added to the 53-man roster.

No. 3 quarterback Dwayne Haskins and rookie linebacker Buddy Johnson are other healthy scratches against the Bengals.

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