The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially heading into their Week 7 Paris showdown against the New Orleans Saints without wide receiver Ben Skowronek (calf) and cornerback Brandin Echols (hamstring), both ruled out following Friday’s final injury report. Man, talk about a tough break for the Steelers as they prepare for a transatlantic trip.
Steelers Hit With Key Absences And Question Marks
This isn’t exactly the news you want rolling into a crucial Week 7 game. Losing Skowronek on offense and Echols on defense means some real adjustments are coming. But the woes don’t stop there. Running back Rico Dowdle (knee) and safety DeShon Elliott (knee) are both listed as questionable. That’s two more starters, or at least key contributors, whose game-time status is up in the air. We’re talking about potential gaps on both sides of the ball right when you need everyone clicking.
Now, it’s not all bad news for the Black and Gold. They’re getting some guys back to full strength, which is always a relief. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (wrist), linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), linebacker T.J. Watt (NIR/rest/calf), and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (NIR/rest) all logged full practices on Friday. That’s a huge boost for the defense. However, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day has been placed on injured reserve, so that’s another big body they’re missing upfront.
Saints Aren’t Escaping Unscathed Either
It’s not just the Steelers feeling the pinch. The New Orleans Saints have their own concerns to manage for Sunday. Guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (illness/NIR/rest) are both questionable for the game. Losing your starting guard or a key rotational defensive lineman can throw a wrench into the game plan pretty quickly.
On the brighter side for the Saints, they saw several key players return to full practice. Kicker Daniel Carlson (NIR/personal), running back C.J. Donaldson (shoulder), linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf), defensive lineman Davon Godchaux (NIR/rest), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), running back Alvin Kamara (back), cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (head), quarterback Spencer Rattler (knee), offensive tackle Asim Richards (hand), and quarterback Tyler Shough (left hand) are all good to go. That’s a long list of guys ready to play, which could make a big difference when facing a short-handed Steelers squad.
So, Sunday in Paris is gonna be wild. Both teams are dealing with some key absences and question marks. Who steps up for the Steelers with Skowronek and Echols out? And can the Saints overcome their own issues on the road? We’ll find out when the final whistle blows on this Week 7 international clash.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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