Week 11 will see the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The last time they faced each other was in Week 7. Mike Tomlin‘s side lost 33-31 to the Bengals. Presently, the home fans are eyeing revenge on Joe Flacco’s team. But that might be a herculean task, as both teams have an extensive injury list.

The Bengals’ offence will miss Joe Burrow’s presence with the QB’s game status still listed as “Out” on the injury list. He sustained a toe injury in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. A sack led to a ligament tear, which subsequently required surgery. The QB participated in limited practice on all three days of the week and may be a few more days away from returning to the field.

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is next on the list, having sustained a hip/pelvis injury. He was taken out during the first half against the New York Jets. Hendrickson walked cautiously towards the sideline after sustaining the injury.

Halfback Samaje Perine and DE Shemar Stewart are suffering from ankle and knee injuries, respectively. Neither of them has practiced this week. Perine was injured in Week 9 during the 47-42 loss against the Chicago Bears. The defensive end sustained an ankle injury in Week 2, and now it is a knee injury, which is expected to keep him out for several weeks.

“Bengals DE Shemar Stewart is going on injured reserve because of a knee injury, per sources,” Tom Pellisero said. “Stewart, the first-round pick, showed flashes of dominance in Week 1. But an ankle injury in Week 2 has lingered, and now a knee injury takes him out for at least four games.” Stewart’s rookie season just got worse.

Guard Lukas Patrick is questionable before Week 11 with a calf injury. He did practice for a limited time on Friday. Similar to the Bengals, the Steelers are also facing a similar problem.

The Steelers will be lacking cornerbacks and linebackers in Week 11

The Pittsburgh Steelers already had enough on their plates, and now a last-minute injury has made things worse for Mike Tomlin. Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. has sustained yet another injury, ruling him out of the game at the last minute. He tore his ACL during training camp in his rookie year. In his second year, he sustained a hamstring injury. Now, after returning for only a few years, he picked up a knee injury.

Another cornerback, Darius Slay, will also not be available in Week 11 because of a concussion he sustained against the Los Angeles Chargers. He suffered the injury after clashing with one of his teammates.

Linebackers Cole Holcomb and Alex Highsmith won’t be available against the Bengals because of illness and pectoral injury, respectively. Holcomb will miss his third consecutive game because of his illness. Alex Highsmith has been constantly suffering from injuries in the groin, ankle, and now the pectoral. He was a regular in his first four seasons, but the past two years have been difficult for him.

Apart from the confirmed “out” players, Mike Tomlin has to deal with Isaac Seumalo being designated as “questionable” with a pectoral injury.

The Steelers are currently first in the AFC North with 5 wins and 4 losses. They will go for their sixth win amidst all the injuries. However, even with the Bengals’ lingering injury problems, they will try to do a double-up on the Steelers. Everyone is pretty excited to see the divisional battle with both teams missing key players.