On the eve of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers learned they will be without both of their starting outside linebackers.
T.J. Watt, who had been limited in practice the entire week of preparation, was downgraded to out Saturday because of a groin injury he suffered in the second quarter last Sunday. He previously was listed as questionable to play in the game at 1 p.m. Sunday at Heinz Field.
Alex Highsmith already was out because of a groin injury that he suffered against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday.
The Steelers will enter the game against the Bengals with veteran Melvin Ingram III and first-year player Jamir Jones, an undrafted free agent, as starters at outside linebacker. Jones will be making his first career start.
The Steelers promoted outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka from the practice squad Saturday to give the team a third healthy player at the position. The Steelers did not promote former first-round draft pick Taco Charlton, who joined the practice squad last week.
Tuszka, who spent last season with Denver, was signed to the practice squad Sept. 1 after being cut by the Broncos.
“You draft and sign players to try to get them to help on special teams or as backup people,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said Thursday. “We’re hopeful the guys we can use do what we ask them to do. We have to keep that in mind as we run our defenses and call our defenses.”
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (knee) and defensive end Carlos Davis (knee) were ruled out Friday because of injuries. The Steelers promoted wide receiver Cody White from the practice squad to take Johnson’s spot on the gameday roster.
