Steelers final injury report and what it means in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs vs. Browns

After a week of rest for cornerstone players Ben Roethlisberger and T.J. Watt, the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the wild-card round refreshed. Despite some limitations through the week, Pittsburgh does not have anyone with an injury designation heading into game day. We break down how the Steelers can use their health to their advantage against a Kevin Stefanski-less Cleveland Browns’ team dealing with COVID-19, injuries, and a lack of significant practice reps through the week.

Steelers final injury report

Out: N/A
Doubtful: N/A
Questionable: N/A

Notable players on in-week report who were removed from final: K Chris Boswell, CB Steven Nelson, S Terrell Edmunds, DE Tyson Alualu, LB Vince Williams, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DE Isaiah Buggs

How injuries could affect Steelers vs. Browns matchup

While the removal of former Pro Bowler JuJu Smith-Schuster from the injury report will garner most of the attention, the Steelers would have found it more difficult to replace several of the defenders previously listed. Defensive end Tyson Alualu, once merely a rotational contributor, has become one of the unit’s most impactful players. Alualu ranks as the team’s top run defender along the interior and he eats up double teams to free up the pass rushers around him.

The Steelers also saw three other defensive starters come off the report. Third-year safety Terrell Edmunds has played the best of that trio, providing strong pass coverage (76.2 defensive passer rating, zero touchdowns allowed since Week 3) and reliable tackling. Steven Nelson hasn’t played quite as well, but Pittsburgh still views him as one of their top cover cornerbacks.