The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a third consecutive game, as the team announced that he is ruled out this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL reporter Dan Hanzus. The Steelers aren't the only team that will be missing a key player this weekend, as the Houston Texans have ruled out linebacker Jadeveon Clowney against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to HoustonTexans.com.
Roethlisberger suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise against the St. Louis Rams in week three, and the Steelers are being careful with their franchise quarterback. The Steelers have gone 1-1 since losing their starting quarterback, but Pittsburgh was able to get a last second touchdown last week to get a win over the San Diego Chargers.
Quarterback Mike Vick has struggled to adjust to offensive coordinator Todd Haley's system, as he has only thrown two touchdowns and had a completion percentage of 50 percent against the Chargers Monday night. Luckily the Steelers have one of the best running backs in the league in Le'Veon Bell. Bell has scored a touchdown in every game since returning from suspension and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season.
The Steelers are playing arguably the best defense they have faced this year in the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have the nineth best defense in the league in terms of yards per game, and Vick will need to produce more this weekend if they want to get a win.
The Steelers won't be the only team missing a key player on Sunday, as linebacker Clowney will not play this weekend after suffering a sprained ankle against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans downplayed Clowney's injury and made it sound like he would not be at risk of missing any time, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. It seems that his injury is more serious than originally thought, and the Texans will surely miss their 2014 first round draft pick.
The Texans have a big AFC South game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and both teams are looking for their second win of the season. The Texans are 1-4, but in a division like the AFC South, it is not impossible to think they could fight their way back into the playoff conversation. The Texans would need a win this weekend for that to happen, but the Jaguars probably have the exact same mentality coming into Sunday's game.
Both the Steelers and the Texans are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive in their respective divisions. The Steelers' loss of Roethlisberger will likely have a bigger impact on Sunday, but both players are crucial pieces to their respective teams.
