Martavis Bryant can pick up some of the slack, but that won’t be helpful if Ben Roethlisberger (who suffered a shoulder injury in the Bengals game) isn’t healthy enough to throw him bombs.
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Steelers’ wide receiver Antonio Brown has been ruled out for Pittsburgh’s Sunday game, according to ESPN.
Burfict was suspended for the first three games of next season this week as a result of repeated violations of player safety rules, including the hit on Brown.
Roethlisberger is listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury sustained in the AFC Wild Card game. I think Pittsburgh will keep it close and cover the touchdown spread, but the Broncos will win it. Denver 27 Pittsburgh 23. If he perks up at the end of the week I have no issue in terms of giving him an opportunity to assist us in our efforts.
“I thought he did a nice job”, coach Mike Tomlin told the team’s official website.
The Broncos remember Roethlisberger completing 40 of 55 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. With Brown out this weekend, though, Heyward-Bey will probably see 75 percent or more of Pittsburgh’s snaps, and that throws a wrench into the possible matchups. “Just go out there and go play”. Rookie Sammie Coates, a third-round pick who has one career catch in six games, figures to be activated as the fourth wide receiver against the Broncos, who led the National Football League in total defense and passing defense during the regular season.
The last time WR Antonio Brown missed a game was November 25, 2012, when the Steelers lost 20-14 to the Cleveland Browns.
Brown left last weekend’s wild-card win over Cincinnati after taking a shot to the head from Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
Unfortunately for the Steelers, Brown’s injury did end up being serious. “But at the same time we have to step up”.
The Steelers found out they had suitable replacements for Williams against the Bengals. Backups Fitzgerald Toussiant and Jordan Todman split the load at Cincy and plan to this week at Denver in the divisional round. Pittsburgh is hoping that they can get Brown back on the field quickly though. “We have been without people before”. If he takes care of the ball and takes what the defense gives him, the Broncos should live to play another game.
Harris declined to speak with reporters Friday, but other Broncos said they were disappointed to learn Brown wouldn’t play.
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Injuries to Vince Williams and Ryan Shazier set up more play from Sean Spence at the linebacker position.
