The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a crucial Week 11 rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, aiming to halt a three-of-four loss skid while clinging to a one-game lead in the AFC North. Injuries to key players like CB Darius Slay and OT Broderick Jones cloud the outlook, as QB Aaron Rodgers calls for better receiver separation to support WR DK Metcalf. TE Pat Freiermuth could see increased opportunities against a Bengals defense that struggled in their first meeting.
Injury Report Highlights Challenges
The Steelers' Week 11 Wednesday injury report revealed eight players did not practice, including CB Darius Slay (concussion), OT Broderick Jones (groin), EDGE Alex Highsmith (pectoral), and ILB Cole Holcomb (illness). Rest days went to TE Jonnu Smith, EDGE T.J. Watt, and DL Cam Heyward. OG Isaac Seumalo (pec) was limited after missing Week 10, while WR Scotty Miller (finger) and SS Jabrill Peppers (quad) participated fully. Slay, concussed after a collision with teammate SS Kyle Dugger against the Chargers, enters protocol and may yield reps to CB James Pierre, who has allowed just four completions on 13 targets this season.
Offensive Adjustments in Focus
QB Aaron Rodgers emphasized getting other receivers open, noting DK Metcalf faces double coverage "every third down." He suggested using both TE Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington simultaneously for more opportunities, with Freiermuth posting 22 catches for 260 yards and three touchdowns in nine games, including five for 111 yards and two scores against the Bengals in Week 7. WR DK Metcalf, quiet with 10 receptions for 96 yards over the last three games, challenged Bengals CB DJ Turner II to shadow him again, calling him "a good player" and looking forward to the matchup. Metcalf had three catches for 50 yards on five targets in their prior 31-point Steelers win.
Defensive Preparation Against Flacco
CB Brandin Echols warned against taking Bengals QB Joe Flacco "for granted," citing his 342 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7, plus a 470-yard outing against the Bears. Flacco is 12-11 in 23 regular-season starts versus Pittsburgh, with 1,100 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions for Cincinnati. The Steelers aim to improve coverage after allowing WR Ja'Marr Chase 16 catches in the first matchup.
New practice squad CB Asante Samuel Jr. joined Wednesday, praising the "winning culture" and talented defenders like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. EST Sunday.