Groin injury to sideline kicker Chris Boswell; Steelers promote Matthew Wright

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new kicker and reduced depth at two linebacker positions Sunday when they play the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field.

Kicker Chris Boswell was one of three players downgraded to out Saturday. He will miss the game, his second of the season, because of a groin injury. He previously was inactive against Washington in Week 13 because of a hip problem.

Matthew Wright was added from the practice squad Saturday and will take Boswell’s place for the second time in four games. Wright made both extra points and a 37-yard field goal in the Steelers’ 23-17 loss to Washington. Because he doesn’t have the same leg strength as Boswell, the Steelers bypassed a long field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter. They failed to connect on a fourth-and-1 pass, and Washington went down the field and kicked the go-ahead field goal that sent the Steelers to their first loss.

Also downgraded were inside linebacker/safety Marcus Allen and outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi. With Allen out and Ulysees Gilbert III headed to injured reserve Friday, the Steelers signed linebacker Tegray Scales to the 53-man roster Saturday. Scales had been promoted from the practice squad the previous two weeks, but he no longer was eligible unless the Steelers created a spot on the 53-man roster. To make room for Scales, the Steelers waived guard/tackle Derwin Gray.

At inside linebacker, Scales will back up starters Vince Williams, who was activated from the reserve/covid-19 list Wednesday, and Avery Williamson. With Adeniyi missing the game against the Colts, Jayrone Elliott will be the only backup on the roster behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Note: Tackle Chuks Okorafor was fined $10,500 for his late hit on Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Mackensie Alexander out of bounds after an interception in the second quarter Monday night.