BALTIMORE -- Two-thirds of the Steelers' vaunted defensive line, Tyson Alualu and Cam Heyward, went down Sunday in the 28-24 victory over the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, but neither is thought to be serious, based on new information Monday.
Alualu, maybe the Steelers' most pleasant surprise of 2020 upon becoming their starting nose tackle, sustained a knee injury in the first quarter and didn't return. It wasn't clear how he was hurt, but he was quickly announced by the team as being doubtful to return, never a good sign. But word emerged Monday that Alualu has a sprained MCL, an injury that usually requires 2-4 weeks to fully heal.
Heyward, the defensive captain, briefly exited for some apparent cramping with 4:02 left in the fourth quarter, then again on the Ravens' final drive after being down for several minutes. He needed help off the field at the time, but then walked off the field under his own power -- albeit limping on the left leg -- a couple minutes after the game ended.And on Monday, word emerged that he has a minor quad injury. That puts him in play for the next game Sunday in Arlington, Texas, pending practice availability.
Mike Tomlin had little additional information on either.
“I don’t have the details," Tomlin said. "Maybe it was a cramp the first time he went down. I don’t know what it was the second time. I'm sure I will have that for you next time we visit.”
Of Aluala, he said, "I don’t have the answer to that. I will next time we visit."
Before the game, the Steelers made Mike Hilton (shoulder) inactive for a second consecutive week. His place at starting nickel corner went again to Cam Sutton.
"I thought losing Tyson in the game and losing Mike prior to the game, those are two critical run-down defenders," Tomlin said in a rare acknowledgement of injuries affecting his team. "That made it tough for us to function at times because the Ravens are exceptional at running the football."
The Ravens had a rougher day on the injury front, losing All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley for the season to a "severe ankle injury," as John Harbaugh would describe it, as well as starting right guard Tyre Phillips to an ankle injury, also in the first quarter.
It was instantly clear that Stanley's injury was exceptional, as all activity came to a halt. Once he was helped onto a cart, both teams stepped off their sidelines to applaud him while he was driven off.
T.J. Watt accidentally rolled up on Stanley's ankle while pressuring Lamar Jackson on what wound up an 8-yard sack for Bud Dupree. And, even though no apology was needed nor likely sought, Watt said afterward before taking questions from reporters, “I saw the play how Stanley got hurt, nothing intentional there. I feel for a guy like that, and I hope he makes a full recovery. Nothing like that is ever intentional. Sometimes that happens on the football field."
Earlier in the week, Stanley signed a five-year extension worth a maximum $112 million, the richest in NFL history for a left tackle. "It’s a tough loss, obviously," Harbaugh said. "I feel bad for Ronnie. He’s a guy who’s been playing well. ... He’s worked very hard to be out there and to contribute. That’s the nature of the game, often times, unfortunately."
Also inactive for the Steelers were linebacker Ulysees Gilbert (back), safety Jordan Dangerfield (quad), quarterback Josh Dobbs, defensive lineman Carlos Davis, offensive lineman Derwin Gray and tight end Zach Gentry.
Inactive for Baltimore were starting running back Mark Ingram (ankle), former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, defensive end Jihad Ward, offensive linemen Trystan Colon-Castillo and Ben Bredeson, and defensive tackles Justin Ellis and Broderick Washington.