Steelers to face Dolphins without CB James Pierre; Asante Samuel Jr. could make 1st start
After winning the left outside cornerback job and starting the past four games, James Pierre will miss the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.
Coach Mike Tomlin declared Pierre out with a calf injury. Pierre did not practice the entire week and was ruled out following practice Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
Asante Samuel Jr. is expected to replace Pierre in the starting lineup. Samuel has played in the past two games for the Steelers after spending two weeks on the team’s practice squad. Pierre had replaced the since-released Darius Slay as a starter at cornerback and had an interception against his cousin, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, on Sunday.
Also ruled out for the game Monday night is offensive lineman Andrus Peat with a concussion. Dylan Cook is expected to make his first NFL start at left tackle. He is the team’s fourth option and will get the call after Broderick Jones and Calvin Anderson suffered season-ending injuries. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt previously was declared out because of a lung injury.
Listed as questionable are tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) and rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon (knee). Harmon has missed the past two games and did not practice Thursday and Friday before returning on a limited basis Saturday. Washington was concussed in the Steelers’ 27-22 victory at Baltimore last Sunday.
No other player carries an injury designation heading into the matchup Monday between the 7-6 Steelers and 6-7 Dolphins.
Returning to full practice participation Saturday were wide receiver Calvin Austin III (calf), inside linebacker Malik Harrison (concussion) and defensive linemen Cameron Heyward (knee), Keeanu Benton (ankle) and Yahya Black (shoulder).
Safety Kyle Dugger (hand) will return after missing the game at Baltimore. Wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hand) also has been cleared to play after being limited in practice Friday and Saturday. Wide receiver DK Metcalf was limited in practice Saturday, while linebacker Patrick Queen (hip) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) were full practice participants the entire week.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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