The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a tough time fielding a healthy roster early in the 2024 season. Just when it looked like their impressive depth would be the strength of the team, nearly all of it was wiped away in September.
Following the Week 4 loss to the Colts, we learned that the Steelers will be without right guard James Daniels for the remainder of the season. Daniels was playing like one of the top guards in the NFL prior to his Achilles injury. This came after Seumalo had missed the first month of the season and both Troy Fautanu and Nate Herbig have already ruled out for the year with season-ending injuries.
In addition to the catastrophic injuries along the offensive line, the Steelers will once again be without edge rusher Alex Highsmith. Meanwhile, impressive second-year defensive back Cory Trice Jr. was placed on IR after Week 3, while running backs Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson may not be ready to go in Week 5.
But as devastating as these injuries have been, it's nothing compared to what the Dallas Cowboys are about to deal with.
It's one thing to lose a handful of offensive linemen, but it's something else entirely to be without one of the best players in the league. In Dallas' Week 4 game against the Giants on Thursday Night Football, All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons was rolled up on. He's expected to miss this contest with a high ankle sprain.
Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2021, Parsons has been one of the most dangerous non-quarterbacks in the NFL with his ability to impact each game by providing tremendous pressure on the quarterback.
This would have been a matchup that played perfectly into the hands of the Cowboys, as Dallas would have gotten Parsons matched up against raw offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Parsons' game-wrecking ability could have made a major impact in this contest.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Parsons isn't the only edge rushers who will be missing this contest.
In addition to Parsons being sidelined, Dallas will be without Demarcus Lawrence. The veteran edge rusher has been one of the best run defenders in the NFL for the better part of a decade. Lawrence offers consistency and stability to the position, unlike most players in the league. Having both Parsons and Lawrence out gives the Steelers a colossal advantage when dropping back to pass or running the football.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been without All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland all season, and he won't be ready to suit up in this contest as he attempts to work his way back from a foot injury. Bland was arguably the best cornerback in the NFL during the 2023 season. We also learned that starting receiver Brandin Cooks will be out this week with an infection in his right knee.
Just because the Cowboys are missing three of the best players on their roster doesn't mean the Steelers can take them lightly. Putting points on the board has been a struggle all season for Pittsburgh, and even with a decimated Cowboys defense, this may not come easy on Sunday Night Football.
On the other side of the ball, a Pittsburgh defense that couldn't stop a nosebleed in Week 4 against Joe Flacco and the Colts will be tasked with slowing down the lethal combination of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
With all of Pittsburgh's bad injury luck early in the season, they can't use this as an excuse against a Cowboys team missing its star players. The Steelers have to find a way to emerge victorious in Week 5.
