Watt, Haden, Dotson ruled out of Sunday’s game
While the status of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger remained in limbo Friday and could be up in the air until Sunday due to the nature of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, we now know of others who definitely won’t play at SoFi Stadium against the Chargers.
Star outside linebacker T.J. Watt (hip/knee), cornerback Joe Haden (foot) and left guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) were ruled out by the team Friday. The three did not practice at all this week. Rookie defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk is also out with a groin injury.
Watt and Haden each will miss their second game of the season, while Dotson likely will be replaced by backup guard/center J.C. Hassenauer. With Watt sidelined, the pass-rusher situation should be fairly cut and dried. Taco Charlton figures to start at left outside linebacker opposite Alex Highsmith, with Derrek Tuszka as the No. 3. Practice squad edge rusher Jacob Tuioti-Mariner could be called up to the game-day roster for an extra body. But the secondary is more
in flux with the absence of Haden and, barring a drastic change, free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (COVID-19). James Pierre will start at outside cornerback, that’s simple enough. But when the team uses its nickel defense, Tre Norwood won’t be an option in the slot because he’ll be manning Fitzpatrick’s safety spot. If they don’t want to rely on veteran slot cornerback Arthur Maulet, who was a liability in coverage two weeks ago, they could bump Sutton inside and play little-used outside corner Ahkello Witherspoon for the first time since Week 2.
The Steelers might call up a safety from the practice squad, potentially former first-round pick Karl Joseph. The Steelers could have Haden and Fitzpatrick back next week for the Bengals.
The better news is that wide receiver Chase Claypool and right guard Trai Turner do not carry an injury designation after practicing in full Friday. Claypool missed last week’s game and Turner left early, but both were at least limited participants the past two days.