Steelers Veteran Leader Makes Excuses For The Team Due To Crushing Injuries: "We Have Our Work Cut Out For Us"

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their third straight game in Week 15 to the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 30-13. This comes after falling consecutive weeks to two-win teams. The Steelers have fallen victim to the injury bug in the second half of the 2023 season, which has certainly played a part in the struggles as of late. However, good teams find a way to win regardless of who they have on the field. Patrick Peterson, who is one of the Steelers veteran leaders on the defensive side of the ball, brought up the team's injuries and how it has hindered their play on the field. 

Steelers' Peterson Uses Injuries As An Excuse

Unfortunately, the Steelers have seen a lot of their key players go down with injuries in 2023, especially in the second half of the season. The defensive side of the ball in particular has been tremendously effected by injuries. The secondary has been weakened by injuries at several different points of the season, as well as the inside linebacker group. Peterson spoke about the injuries and brought it up in a way that sounded like he was making an excuse for the team's poor play.

"The injury bug is real. We have our work cut out for us."

There's no question the Steelers have been affected by injuries, but injuries are a part of the game. It always sucks to see a player go down on the field, especially one that is a key contributor. Unfortunately, it is a thing that happens often in the game of football. It happens to all 32 teams in the NFL. The good ones find a way to win no matter who is on the field. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has always preached a 'next man up' mentality when it comes to players getting injured, so the injury bug should not be used as an excuse for the Steelers performance. Especially by a player who is supposed to be a leader.  

In the Steelers Week 15 loss, they saw Minkah Fitzpatrick go down with a knee injury in the second quarter of the game, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. There are no clear details on the injury as of now, and Tomlin said the team will evaluate him further once they get back to Pittsburgh. 

He was seen walking out of the locker room following the game without any brace on his knee and no limp, which is a good sign. In addition to Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward also entered concussion protocol following the game which could limit him throughout the week. 

Those are two big injuries for the Steelers defense, as both players are key producers and leaders of the unit. The Steelers also have a depleted inside linebacker room after losing both Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander for the rest of the season due to injury. Keanu Neal also went down with a rib injury during the Steelers win against the Green Bay Packers, which he was placed on Injured Reserve for. All these injuries have seriously hurt the Steelers defensively, but they still need to be able to find ways to win games with the players that are available to them. 

Obviously, another player who has been missing for the Steelers has been quarterback Kenny Pickett who suffered an ankle injury against the Arizona Cardinals and underwent surgery the day after the game. He is pushing to make a return soon, which is much needed as Mitch Trubisky has struggled since taking over for Pickett and was benched at the end of the Steelers loss to the Colts. 

Peterson has a right to be concerned about the amount of injuries the Steelers have suffered as of late, but it is no excuse for the product that they put out on the field. Good teams find a way to win despite the injuries they suffer, and the Steelers haven't been able to do that. 

Do you think Peterson should be making excuses for the team's play? Let us know in the comments below!

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