The Pittsburgh Steelers will continue to have to play without a large chunk of the middle of their defense.
Two of their three starting-caliber inside linebackers have been ruled out for the season, and on Friday it became official that two of their three starting-caliber safeties will not play in Sunday’s AFC North showdown at the Cleveland Browns.
All Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss a third consecutive game because of a hamstring injury, and Keanu Neal will miss his first game of the season because of a rib injury suffered late during this past Sunday’s win against the Green Bay Packers.
Also ruled out on the week-ending, league-mandated status report was defensive lineman Montravius Adams, who is missing a second game because of an ankle injury.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth was listed as questionable after he practiced fully Friday. Freiermuth has been on injured reserve for more than a month related to a hamstring injury but returned to practice this week.
Two other starters listed on the injury report — wide receiver Diontae Johnson (thumb) and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (groin) — were given the official green light to play in Cleveland. Heyward, though, was limited at Friday’s practice.
Over the past two weeks, inside linebackers Cole Holcomb (knee) and Kwon Alexander (Achilles) have suffered season-ending injuries.
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