The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into their Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts without their top cornerback, Jamel Dean, who is officially out with an ankle injury. Talk about a gut punch right before kickoff, leaving their secondary in a seriously precarious spot.
Who’s Stepping Up When Everything’s on the Line?
With Dean sidelined, the Steelers are throwing newly-signed Sean Murphy-Bunting and Terell Smith straight into the fire. These guys have been with the team for less than a week, which means they’re going to have to learn on the fly against a live opponent. As if that wasn’t enough pressure, cornerback Jalen Ramsey is also questionable for the game due to a wrist injury. That’s potentially two key guys either out or playing at less than 100 percent. It’s not just the secondary either, as DeShon Elliott is also out, still working his way back after starting the season on IR, and running back Rico Dowdle is questionable. That’s a lot of question marks across the depth chart.
Colts Have Their Own Problems, But The Drama Is Building
There’s a silver lining for the Steelers, though: Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been ruled out. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed on Thursday that Pittman Jr. wouldn’t be playing, and the receiver was even spotted using a scooter after aggravating a foot injury. He’s expected to be out for multiple weeks, which is a major break for a Steelers secondary that’s suddenly looking thin. Still, the Steelers have an incredible track record at home against the Colts, winning their last five matchups in Pittsburgh. Indianapolis hasn’t beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh since way back in 2008. That’s a serious home field advantage that could be huge for this team. But here’s the kicker: Jalen Ramsey, amidst all this injury news and historical dominance, also said there’s a disconnect with players and coaches. That’s some internal drama bubbling up right when the team needs to be locked in, making this game about more than just a win or loss.
This Week 5 game isn’t just about adding another win to the column, it’s about seeing if this Steelers team can overcome significant injuries in their secondary and potentially internal issues. Can the new guys step up when it matters most, and can the team rally around that incredible home record? It’s going to be a fascinating watch to see how they handle the pressure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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