The Pittsburgh Steelers have been dealing with multiple injury issues for the past couple of weeks. Most importantly, quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed last week's loss at Chicago as he continues to deal with a fractured left wrist. They've also been missing safety DeShon Elliott for most of the season now, and linebacker Alex Highsmith has missed the past several games. While the team is supposed to get Highsmith and Rodgers back this week, now they're going to be without one of their most critical offensive linemen.
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Linebacker Alex Highsmith exits the field after a Steelers game.
On Saturday, the team announced that starting left tackle Broderick Jones, who had already been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Buffalo Bills, has been placed on injured reserve. That means Jones will miss at least the next four games before being eligible to return. Jones hurt his neck against the Bears last week, and it was reportedly just a stinger, but obviously now it's a much more significant issue than that.
We have elevated CB Asante Samuel Jr. to the Active/Inactive Roster from the practice squad and placed OT Broderick Jones on the Reserve/Injured List. @BordasLaw https://t.co/np8pqyQf0D
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 29, 2025
It was announced on Friday that Andrus Peat would make the start replacing Jones. Peat joined the Steelers midway through the preseason after spending most of his career with the New Orleans Saints where he made multiple Pro Bowls. Peat has only played in one game this season for the Steelers and that was a few weeks ago when Pittsburgh played in Los Angeles against the Chargers. In that game, he only played eight snaps before he was replaced and didn't play the rest of the contest. Many believed Peat was replaced because of his performance, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin praised Peat at his press conference the following week.
"You know, specifically, talking about Spencer Anderson and Peat, I thought that they were above the line," Tomlin said. "So that's the new component of it, just relative to the question that you asked. But just largely as an offensive line, certainly we could have protected better in that football game."
If Peat does struggle early against the Bills, then look for Tomlin to replace him again with Calvin Anderson, while Spencer Anderson sticks as the jumbo tackle. Calvin has made 58 starts in the NFL between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots.
Steelers Elevate Veteran Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
Filling Jones' roster spot will be veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. who the Steelers signed to their practice squad a few weeks ago after he was deemed healthy following a spinal fusion. Samuel was considered a top 15 available free agent this past offseason after being drafted in the second round by the Chargers where he started 47 games in four seasons.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Asante Samuel Jr. during a practice in his first weeks with the organization in 2025.
Samuel will bring much needed help to a secondary that was shredded by Bears' Caleb Williams last week. Opening day starter Darius Slay appeared to lose his starting spot to career special teamer James Pierre last week as well. Pierre struggled mightily while playing the entire game. The Steelers paid Slay a lot of money, but the investment has not paid dividends to Pittsburgh so far this season.
It currently isn't known how much playing time Samuel will get at this point, but expect him to see the field in certain situations on Sunday. Be sure to share your thoughts below!
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