The Pittsburgh Steelers started Monday’s game without one of their starting outside cornerbacks. They ended it without the other, too.
Joe Haden was being evaluated for a concussion as the 23-17 loss to the Washington Football Team was finishing. He left the game after making a tackle on Peyton Barber with about 11 minutes to play.
Haden was examined in the medical tent on the Steelers’ sideline thereafter but did not appear in either of the two final Washington possessions of the game. Washington scored all three times it had the ball after Haden left, including on a 15-yard touchdown reception by Logan Thomas five plays after Haden was injured. It appeared as if there could have been a blown coverage or missed assignment because Thomas was wide open.
The Steelers’ other veteran starting outside cornerback, Steven Nelson, did not play because of a knee injury. Nelson had not practiced since the Steelers’ win against the Baltimore Ravens last Wednesday, and coach Mike Tomlin said Nelson was getting an MRI on his knee.
Nelson was listed as doubtful on the injury report leading into the game.
Tomlin did not update the condition of Haden after the game.
Cameron Sutton started in Nelson’s place as the outside cornerback, but Sutton held on to his subpackage roles. Justin Layne swallowed up those extra snaps in lieu of Nelson.
Once Haden became unavailable and with Mike Hilton occupying the role in the slot, undrafted rookie James Pierre was the lone cornerback left on the roster when the game ended.
Spillane injures knee
Inside linebacker Robert Spillane suffered an injury to his left knee while he broke up a pass early during the third quarter. The Steelers officially termed Spillane as questionable to return to the game, but he did not.
Avery Williamson, acquired in a trade last month, filled in for Spillane for the remainder of the game. Williamson was given extensive playing time up until that point, though, subbing in for Spillane and other starting inside linebacker Vince Williams at times.
Tomlin did not provide an update on Spillane’s status after the game.
Spillane had a sack, two QB hits and two passes defensed Monday before being injured.
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