The Pittsburgh Steelers may face a tough challenge against the Kansas City Chiefs. Wide receiver Ben Skowronek and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are uncertain to play due to injuries sustained during their recent game against the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Mike Tomlin provided an update on the duo’s status, labeling both as questionable. In the team’s estimated Sunday practice report, neither player participated.
“Joey Porter has a knee, and Ben Skowronek has a hip, so their availability remains questionable,” Tomlin stated. “I just don’t have a lot of new information on those guys, given that we just played last night, and we’re still in the process of assessing the state of some of those things. But anybody that didn’t make it out of the stadium yesterday on a four-day turnaround is probably going to have a difficult time showing for this one.”
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Both players managed to return to the field briefly during the game but were unable to finish. The Steelers are particularly concerned about Porter, who may have suffered a PCL sprain. Such an injury could potentially sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. However, if the injury proves to be less severe, Porter might still make a return in time for the playoffs.
As for Skowronek, his hip issue appeared to stem more from stiffness and discomfort rather than a significant injury. Despite his attempts to push through the pain, the coaching staff chose to sideline him after observing that he was struggling to move effectively during the second half of the game.
The potential absence of both players would undoubtedly be a blow to the Steelers. Porter has been a standout in the secondary, bringing a level of physicality and skill that has bolstered the team’s defense. Losing him against the high-powered Chiefs offense, led by Patrick Mahomes, could leave the Steelers vulnerable in their pass defense. Meanwhile, Skowronek has been a reliable target for quarterback Kenny Pickett, contributing both as a receiver and in blocking schemes, making his availability equally important.
Tomlin’s comments underscore the difficulties of preparing for a game on a short week, especially when dealing with injuries. “On a four-day turnaround, it’s hard for anyone who didn’t finish the previous game to be ready,” he noted, emphasizing the challenges of recovery and preparation in such a condensed timeframe.
As the Steelers continue to evaluate both players, their availability for the critical matchup against Kansas City remains uncertain. The team and its fans will be hoping for positive news in the coming days, especially as Pittsburgh battles for playoff positioning in the highly competitive AFC.
