The Pittsburgh Steelers ruled out four defensive players Friday for the Cincinnati Bengals matchup. But the good news is left guard Isaac Seumalo will dress.
The veteran guard entered the matchup questionable. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday but then didn’t practice at all Friday.
Seumalo appears to be trending in the right direction with his pectoral injury. But it’s a bit surprising the guard is going to play after not fully participating in any practice this past week, and not practicing at all Friday.
Still, it’s great news the veteran guard will dress. With him in the fold, the Steelers can better utilize one of their favorite offensive formations — the jumbo package.
The Steelers have used Spencer Anderson as a sixth offensive lineman next to 300-pound tight end Darnell Washington in the jumbo set. The formation has greatly helped the Steelers running game since Week 4.
But when Seumalo doesn’t play, Anderson starts at left guard. Last week, with Anderson at guard in Seumalo’s absence, the Steelers were limited in their ability to use the jumbo set.
With Seumalo active, the Steelers included included linebacker Alex Highsmith, cornerback Darius Slay, linebacker Cole Holcomb, guard Andrus Peat, along with defensive linemen Brodric Martin and Logan Lee on their inactive list for Week 11.
Quarterback Will Howard will also be inactive. But Howard will still dress as the team’s emergency QB3.
Steelers Make Final Call on Left Guard Isaac Seumalo
Seumalo will play in Week 11 despite not practicing at all Friday. He was also limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Seumalo has been dealing with a pectoral injury since Week 8.
Regardless, it’s a significant boost for the Steelers that he is going to play.
Since Week 4, the Steelers have averaged 126 rushing yards per game with Seumalo in the lineup. In games since Week 4 where Seumalo hasn’t played or left with an injury, the Steelers have posted 68 rushing yards per contest.
The veteran guard is in his third season with the Steelers. He earned his first Pro Bowl nomination last year.
Steelers Rule Out Four Defenders for Week 11
Mike Tomlin’s defense will again have its hands full trying to slow down the Bengals offense. The Steelers will have to do that without four defenders.
Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. is one of those four. Trice hasn’t played during the 2025 season, so he isn’t a major loss.
But the Steelers will also be without Highsmith, Slay and Holcomb.
Highsmith is tied for second on the team with 5.5 sacks. He also has 24 combined tackles, including six tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, one pass defense and one forced fumble.
Without him in the lineup, Nick Herbig should play a bigger role for the Steelers in Week 11. Herbig has been sensational at times this season. So, it’s possible Pittsburgh won’t miss Highsmith too much versus the Bengals.
But when the Steelers defense has had strong performances this season, Highsmith has typically been a major factor.
Against wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Slay not playing is a significant loss for Pittsburgh. Slay suffered a concussion in Week 10 and practiced only in limited fashion Friday.
With Slay out, the Steelers will need to rely more on Brandin Echols and James Pierre at cornerback with Jalen Ramsey fully switched to free safety. The Steelers also elevated defensive back D’Shawn Jamison from the practice squad for Week 11.
Holcomb will miss his third consecutive game because of an illness. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Friday and was limited Thursday.
The Steelers will be trying to avoid a Bengals season sweep Sunday afternoon. Cincinnati last defeated the Steelers twice in a season during 2021.
The last time the Bengals swept the Steelers without Joe Burrow at quarterback was 2009. On Sunday, Joe Flacco will start again for Cincinnati.
Steelers Announce Great News Just Before Pivotal Bengals Showdown