The Steelers are heading into a blizzard in Orchard Park this Sunday and you can tell by the opening over-under falling from 43 points Sunday night to 34 points Friday afternoon. Possible defensive player of the year, T.J. Watt, is the only player listed on the Steelers final injury report for this Wild Card matchup, but that is one big missing piece for the Steelers defense.
Steelers final injury report
Out: LB T.J. Watt (Knee)
Doubtful: N/A
Questionable: N/A
Notable players on in-week report removed from final: RB Najee Harris (knee), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), LB Elandon Roberts (pectoral), G Isaac Seumalo (shoulder)
The Steelers will get safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back for this game after he practiced in full all week, which is much needed with T.J. Watt out. Najee Harris has been managing a knee injury over the last couple months, but practiced in full Thursday and Friday and is ready to go.
How the team’s injuries may affect the Steelers in Wild Card round
Watt is the biggest absence here, as the pressure he puts on quarterbacks makes the whole defense run more efficiently. Getting Minkah Fitzpatrick back should help a secondary that won’t see as many hurried passes.