The second game of Week 18’s Saturday doubleheader features two more AFC North rivals meeting with playoff implications. The Steelers are hoping for a Ravens loss to keep their division hopes alive, otherwise, they’re playing for either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
The Bengals must win Saturday and need the Broncos and Dolphins to both lose Sunday to sneak into the playoffs.
Here’s the latest injury news.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Inactives
Cincinnati Bengals Inactives
- RB Chase Brown
- WR Jermaine Burton
- DE Sam Hubbard
- WR Charlie Jones
- TE Tanner McLachlan
- OT Andrew Stueber
- DE Isaiah Thomas
Pittsburgh Steelers Inactives
- WR Charlie Jones
- HB Chase Brown
- DE Isaiah Thomas
- OT Andrew Stueber
- WR Jermaine Burton
- TE Tanner McLachlan
- DE Sam Hubbard
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
The Bengals have a couple of players out but plenty of questions heading into Saturday’s must-win game. Two key offensive players are listed as questionable: RB Chase Brown (ankle) and WR Tee Higgins (ankle/knee). Higgins has been limited in practices for a few weeks now and ultimately ends up playing. He looked good last week catching three touchdowns in the win over Denver.
Brown, on the other hand, did not practice all week after suffering an ankle injury late in the game against the Broncos. Brown could try to play through the injury, which is not considered significant. If Brown can’t go, Khalil Herbert stands to see an increased workload with Trayveon Williams as his backup.
Offensive tackle Amarius Mims (ankle/hand) is also questionable and was downgraded to a missed practice Thursday after being listed as limited Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt suffered an ankle injury in practice this week and was a late add to the injury report Thursday. He is questionable for Saturday. WR Charlie Jones (groin) and TE Drew Sample (groin) are also listed as questionable.
Two Bengals were ruled out: DE Sam Hubbard (knee) and WR Jermaine Burton (coach’s decision). The Bengals did not say anything about why Burton was not traveling with the team.
For the Steelers, the only question mark is CB Donte Jackson. A back injury limited him in practice Wednesday and Thursday but the cornerback says he is feeling good and has been getting treatment.
The Steelers are getting CB Joey Porter Jr. back this week. He was out with a knee injury but practiced in full all week and is good to go this week. QB Justin Field (abdominal), WR Ben Skowronek (hip) and RB Jaylen Warren (ribs) are also set to return this week after practicing in full Thursday.
WR Roman Wilson (hamstring), LB Cole Holcomb (knee) and DT Logan Lee (calf) were ruled out.
Cincinnati Bengals Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Bengals based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Joe Burrow
- Running back: Khalil Herbert
- Wide receiver: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas
- Tight end: Mike Gesicki
- Left tackle: Orlando Brown
- Left guard: Cody Ford
- Center: Ted Karras
- Right guard: Alex Cappa
- Right tackle: Amarius Mims
- Defensive ends: Joseph Ossai, Trey Hendrickson
- Defensive tackles: B.J. Hill, Kris Jenkins
- Weakside linebacker: Germaine Pratt
- Middle linebacker: Akeem Davis-Gaither
- Cornerbacks: Josh Newton, Cam Taylor-Britt
- Safeties: Vonn Bell, Geno Stone
- Kicker: Cade York
- Punter: Ryan Rehkow
- Long snapper: Cal Adomitis
- Kick returner: Khalil Herbert
- Punt returner: Isaiah Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Steelers based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Russell Wilson
- Running back: Jaylen Warren
- Wide receiver: Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller
- Tight end: Pat Freiermuth
- Left tackle: Dan Moore Jr.
- Left guard: Isaac Seumalo
- Center: Zach Frazier
- Right guard: Mason McCormick
- Right tackle: Broderick Jones
- Defensive end: Larry Ogunjobi
- Nose tackle: Keeanu Benton
- Defensive tackle: Cameron Heyward
- Inside linebackers: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts
- Outside linebackers: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith
- Cornerbacks: James Pierre, Joey Porter Jr., Beanie Bishop
- Safeties: DeShon Elliott, Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Kicker: Chris Boswell
- Punter: Corliss Waitman
- Long snapper: Christian Kuntz
- Kick returner: Cordarrelle Patterson
- Punt returner: Calvin Austin III