By Moses Joshua 
Injuries Threaten Pittsburgh’s Edge and Secondary Ahead of Critical Week 16 Matchup
The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering Week 16 against the Detroit Lions potentially hampered by injuries to multiple key starters, raising questions about their ability to compete at full strength on the road at Ford Field.
Four Starters in Doubt
On the team’s first injury report of the week, outside linebackers T.J. Watt (lung) and Nick Herbig (hamstring), cornerback James Pierre (calf), and left guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) were all listed as non-participants in practice.
Pierre and Watt both missed Pittsburgh’s Week 15 win over the Miami Dolphins, while Herbig and Seumalo sustained their injuries during that contest. The absences leave significant gaps at both the pass-rushing and line positions.
Edge Rushers Thin Without Watt and Herbig
Watt’s recovery timeline remains uncertain following a partially collapsed lung that required surgery after a dry-needling treatment. The Steelers are expected to prioritize his health over rushing him back.
“He is working through it. He is working through it,” Watt’s brother J.J. Watt said on The Pat McAfee Show. “It’s obviously not somewhere that he expected or would like to be. But just handling the situation day by day and making sure to find the appropriate and proper steps to get back to where he would like to be.”
Without Watt and potentially Herbig, players like Alex Highsmith and Jack Sawyer could see expanded roles, taking on a majority of snaps at the edge against Detroit. Herbig, who logged just 27 snaps vs. Miami, finished with a single pressure, highlighting the need for reinforcements.
Seumalo’s Lineman Concerns
Seumalo, recovering from a triceps injury sustained in Week 15, has had a history of missed games due to prior pectoral issues. Should he remain sidelined, the Steelers may lean on Ryan McCollum at left guard, with Spencer Anderson stepping into starting roles in jumbo packages or even full-time as needed.
Pierre’s Secondary Impact
Pierre has been a standout corner for Pittsburgh this season. If he misses the matchup against the Lions, Asante Samuel Jr., who replaced Pierre against the Dolphins, could fill in. Samuel’s interception of Tua Tagovailoa in Week 15 offered a promising glimpse of the secondary’s depth in case of another absence.
With four starters in question, the Steelers face a critical test against the Lions’ high-powered offense. How Pittsburgh navigates these absences could significantly impact both teams’ playoff trajectories.
If you want, I can also rewrite this in a punchier, fan-focused style that would read more like a game preview for sports media, emphasizing the Lions’ opportunity against a banged-up Steelers squad. Do you want me to do that?