Steelers CB Mike Hilton won't play in first-place showdown with Ravens

BALTIMORE – The Pittsburgh Steelers are without a key contributor in their effort to limit the Baltimore Ravens and reigning MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Nickel cornerback Mike Hilton will not play in Sunday’s game because of a shoulder injury suffered two weeks prior. Hilton missed last week’s win at the Tennessee Titans but the Steelers were hopeful he could play this week. However, after being limited during Friday’s practice, Hilton was listed as questionable on the official injury report.

Hilton’s absence means Cameron Sutton will continue to fill in as the slot cornerback. Although Sutton is more than capable in that role, the domino effect creates issues for the Steelers because Sutton’s ability to play a hybrid safety/linebacker would seem to be an effective strategy against Jackson’s athleticism.

Last week against the Titans, during obvious passing downs, Sutton moved back to the dime with Steven Nelson moving from the outside to the slot and second-year Justin Layne taking over at outside cornerback. Things are complicated further because inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert is out because of a back injury, leaving the Steelers without another player they were depending on in passing downs with Devin Bush out for the season.

Former Penn State safety Marcus Allen is the lone active inside linebacker to back up Vince Williams and Robert Spillane. Allen likely will see time in passing situations. Rookie in-the-box safety Antoine Brooks will make his NFL debut against the Ravens after joining veteran linebacker Jayrone Elliott as “call-ups” from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Brooks’ special-teams role was necessitated by the absence of veteran unit captain Jordan Dangerfield, who is out because of a quadriceps injury.

Trey Edmunds also will play on special teams after being promoted from the practice squad to take the place of defensive lineman Chris Wormley, who was placed on injured reserve.

Other Steelers inactives for Sunday’s game that will decide first place in the AFC North are quarterback Josh Dobbs, rookie defensive lineman Carlos Davis, offensive lineman Derwin Gray and tight end Zach Gentry.

The Ravens’ most notable inactive is running back Mark Ingram. Also not in uniform is former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, offensive linemen Trystan Colon-Castillo and Ben Bredeson and defensive linemen Jihad Ward, Justin Ellis and Broderick Washington.

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