Diontae Johnson and David DeCastro, both recently having rebounded from injuries, are right back out.
Johnson hurt his lower back on a punt return in the first quarter of the Steelers' 38-29 victory over the Eagles Sunday at Heinz Field, and DeCastro hurt his abdomen in the second quarter. Neither returned to the game, with DeCastro having been ruled out minutes after the initial injury.
Mike Tomlin, in his postgame injury report, elaborated that Johnson "took a direct blow to the back," but added he's expected to be available next Sunday against the Browns. He didn't sound as optimistic about DeCastro, saying only that he'd be "evaluated further." Tomlin also cited Maurkice Pouncey among the injured after he left the field before the final two-minute warning -- didn't stop to talk to doctors or anyone -- though Tomlin said he didn't have enough information on that to comment.
T.J. Watt gave the Steelers an additional scare, missing most of a series in the fourth quarter to an apparent right arm injury. He'd rushed off the field on the previous series, gripping the arm in visible pain. But he returned, finished the game and wasn't mentioned by Tomlin.
"I just got nicks and bruises, and I think that’s part of the game," Watt said. "I just went off to the sideline to make sure everything was all right and getting cleared and going back out and playing. That’s part of the game."
Previously, Johnson had been concussed in the Steelers' victory over the Texans, and DeCastro had missed much of training camp as well as the first two regular-season games because of a knee injury.
Johnson's place at wide receiver was taken by James Washington, DeCastro's place at right guard by rookie Kevin Dotson.
The Steelers' only injured players among their five inactives Sunday were fullback Derek Watt (hamstring) and linebacker Marcus Allen (foot). The other inactives were quarterback Josh Dobbs, defensive lineman Carlos Davis, offensive lineman Derwin Gray and tight end Zach Gentry. Linebacker Ulysees Gilbert and running back Trey Edmunds made their season debuts.
The Eagles' inactives were wide receivers DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffrey (foot), former Pitt cornerback Avonte Maddox (hamstring), quarterback Nate Sudfeld, running back Jason Huntley, defensive end Casey Toohill and tight end Hakeem Butler.
They also lost right tackle Lane Johnson (ankle) and cornerback Darius Slay (head) in the fourth quarter of the game.
