Injury Report

Presented by

Week 11 Injury Report (Bengals)

Nov 15, 2025 at 10:52 AM

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

UPDATED: Cornerback Cory Trice Jr has been downgraded to out. He remains in the Reserve/Injured 21-day window

The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium and the status of several players is clearer.

Cornerback Darius Slay has been ruled out with a concussion he suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Slay didn't practice at all this week.

With Slay out, look for several players to be called upon, including James Pierre.

"He's a true pro," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "I remember James was a COVID guy. Got here, just got him in camp. All he did when he got here, he'd make a play, make a play. We tried to elevate him earlier, he struggled a little bit.

"Because of the way he works and the way he approaches things, that wasn't a setback for him. I think that's why you see when we put him into games now as a veteran, he's really able to be impactful for us. We don't really miss a beat.

"It's good to see that with him. It's really a good lesson for all young players, that you're never defined by what happens early in your career. Just depends on how you work and how you approach things, that you can turn things around and be a really productive guy and play a lot of years in this league."

Another player who could see increased snaps is cornerback Brandin Echols, but he said that won't change his approach as he always prepares the same.

"I just try to keep it the same as I always do," said Echols. "Just focus on the main thing, try to get the job done."

The secondary the Bengals will face is one that is different than the first time, with Jalen Ramsey now at free safety full-time and Kyle Dugger at strong safety.

"We're going to go out and attack them with our best foot forward, regardless of who's where," said Echols. "It's just a matter of making plays on Sunday. That's all that is."

Linebacker Alex Highsmith has also been ruled out dealing with a pectoral injury he suffered last week against the Chargers.

"It happened midway through the game," said Highsmith. "I played through it. I'm optimistic, so we'll see what happens."

Highsmith dealt with a groin injury earlier in the season and said this injury is frustrating.

"It's just frustrating for something like this to pop up because I'm someone who really takes care of my body and does a lot extra to make sure these things don't happen," said Highsmith. "I just have to continue to rehab. It's frustrating because I care and I do a lot. I put a lot of work into my body, so I just have to continue to rehab and get it right."

Quarterback Will Howard was activated this week from the Reserve/Injured List, and while he doesn't expect to see much playing time, he is just happy to be on the right path.

"It's really a blessing," said Howard. "I'm thankful they made the decision to activate me. We have Aaron (Rodgers). It's necessarily like I'm coming up to play, but it's more for my growth and development. And that means a lot that they were willing to do that for me. I just don't want to make them regret it.

"It's limited opportunities, but you have to maximize them. Just going out there every day, whether it be the limited reps I may get on offense, or whether it's one rep a week, or just scout team that week, whatever it is maximizing it, making it like real game reps as much as I can. It's just good to be out there seeing live reps, live bullets, especially going against our defense, that front and all the different looks that they show on the back end. It's been great for me."

Howard said he has seen growth and development since the first week he returned to practice.

"I would say just more comfortable, kind of knocking the rust off," said Howard. "It feels like I haven't played football in forever. It's the longest I've gone without playing in a long time. I feel like I'm getting better every week. I feel I'm about back to where I was and want to just keep going."

The full injury and status report is below.

Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 11

Game Status

No. 23 CB Darius Slay (Concussion) - Out
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring/Knee) - OUT
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - Out
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - Out
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - Questionable

Friday, November 14

No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 13 WR Scotty Miller (Finger) - Full
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (Concussion) - Limited
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers (Quadricep) - Full
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 77 T Broderick Jones (Groin) - Full
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - Full