ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In addition to suffering their worst defeat in 33 years Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers suffered injury losses to four starters during a 38-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi suffered a back injury late in the first half and did not return. Cornerback Cameron Sutton aggravated his hamstring injury soon thereafter and also did not return.
During the third quarter, cornerback Levi Wallace and tight end Pat Freiermuth suffered what coach Mike Tomlin referred to as concussions. Neither returned to the game.
If true, Freiermuth’s concussion would be his third he’s suffered over two NFL seasons.
The loss of two starting cornerbacks weakened a Steelers’ secondary that already was reeling without starters at strong safety Terrell Edmunds (concussion) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (groin).
The Steelers finished with only three healthy cornerbacks: James Pierre, nickel/slot Arthur Maulet and practice squad call-up Josh Jackson. Jackson was making his Steelers debut, and Pierre had not played a defensive snap for the Steelers since being benched during Week 12 of last season.
More on the Steelers loss to the Bills:
• Bills throttle Steelers in Kenny Pickett's 1st start• Steelers' 38-3 loss to Bills marks most lopsided defeat in Mike Tomlin era, worst since 1989
• Kenny Pickett shows fight in losing 1st start with Steelers
• Steelers unhappy no penalty was called on Damar Hamlin hit to QB Kenny Pickett
The Steelers’ defensive captain, though, was not in a mood to use the injuries as an excuse.
“So what?” Cameron Heyward said postgame. “Everybody’s got injuries. We are in the National Football League. This is a chance to guys to step up. I have seen countless guys who a lot of people didn’t know their names before they got into a game, (and) they came out of the game heroes and went on to have prosperous careers.”
The Steelers also were forced to deploy a practice squad call-up at safety in September waiver claim Elijah Riley, who joined All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick, fill-in starter Tre Norwood and special teams specialist Miles Killebrew as the safeties available Sunday.
After Freiermuth went down, rookie Connor Heyward joined No. 2 tight end Zach Gentry as the only players available at that position. Heyward had the first two receptions of his career during the fourth quarter.
Tomlin did not go into detail about the condition of any of the injured players other than to say they were being evaluated.
Related:
• Madden Monday: After Steelers' 'embarrassing' loss in Buffalo, there's no doubt they're 'going to go into the bye 1-7'• Airing of Grievances: Blame for every aspect of Steelers as they get 'smashed' in Buffalo
• Steelers vs. Bills: What they're saying in Buffalo after rout
Counting Witherspoon and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, the Steelers played most of Sunday’s game without five defensive starters. The defense allowed the second-most yards (552) in a game in 16 seasons under Tomlin.
“It shouldn’t matter who is in the game. We are a defense, and a defense is everybody who’s in (the locker room),” Heyward said. “It’s not just 11 … We do so much rotating, and we get so many reps in practice that you should be prepared for that moment. And we weren’t today.”
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