Steelers Receive Very Alarming Injury Update Prior To Week 3 Battle Versus New England

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had numerous issues to start out the 2025 season. The offense has shown flashes, but there are still some major problems that need to be cleaned up. Meanwhile, the defense has been a negative overall as the games have progressed. One of the problems for that is the sheer number of injuries that the team has already had to deal with. Hopefully, the Week 5 bye can be a good spot to get everyone healthy and ready to go for the long haul of the season.

During his Tomlin Tuesday press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin gave an update on all the injuries prior to Week 3. The news started off somewhat hopeful, but nothing for sure yet.

"[DeShon] Elliott is improving, but I would characterize his availability as questionable at best this week," Tomlin said. "Derrick Harmon, same thing. His work is improving, his health is improving, but he'd best be described as questionable, along with Joey Porter, who continues to work. I just saw him back there a few moments ago."

DeShon Elliott suffered a knee injury in Week 1, so he is still trying to recover from that. Him returning after just two weeks would be very impressive, but not likely. Hopefully he does return soon, as he is desperately needed to help stop the run.

Speaking of players needed to help stop the run game, rookie Derrick Harmon should be close to returning after he sprained his knee in the final game of the preseason. Due to his status as a rookie that has not played yet, it's safe to say that he will be eased into the starting role on the defensive line. He could miss another game just to make sure he is ready for the rest of the season as well, just to be safe.

Hamstring injuries are very finicky, so there will be a microscope placed on Joey Porter Jr. during the practice week. He could be ready for Week 3, but he could also be out until after the bye week. His physical presence was sorely missed in Week 2, so the hope is that he can come back soon. If he is rushed back, however, the injury could linger throughout the whole season. 

Tomlin continued on with the injury report with some outright bad news.

"[Isaiahh] Loudermilk will be out; he has a high ankle sprain. That could be described as weeks," Tomlin explained. "[Alex] Highsmith, he has a less significant [injury], but at the same time, he has an ankle sprain as well. He can be characterized as out as well."

The defensive line is already without Harmon, so losing both Isaiahh Loudermilk and Alex Highsmith from the front five is very concerning. While there is plenty of depth on the outside, the interior unit is very weak in terms of depth, and they may have to start calling up players from the practice squad to get some reps here and there. Both players will likely return shortly after the bye week.

Steelers Get A Little Bit Of Good News

Tomlin continued on with some players that suffered some minor issues in Week 2, but their outlooks seem to be a whole lot better than everyone else's.

"We had some guys that got banged up in-game that may limit them in the early portions of the week, but should not eliminate them from participation," Tomlin said. "Some of those guys include Patrick Queen with an oblique, and [Darius] Slay with a shoulder."

Patrick Queen is still wearing the green dot in his second year in Pittsburgh, so losing the primary communicator of the new linebacker room would be very problematic. Darius Slay's injury would also be a massive problem, as the Steelers already have two cornerbacks on injured reserve, as well as Porter dealing with a hamstring injury. 

Getting both of those players back would be great news. Losing one or both could be a detrimental blow in Week 3.

What do you think about the Steelers' injury report? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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