The Tennessee Titans will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football to conclude Week 11. Tennessee has lost three straight and Pittsburgh is coming off a Week 10 loss to the dismal New York Jets. Both teams have some injuries to worry about going into tonight's matchup.
The Steelers' injury issues are solely limited to defense. Cornerback Ike Taylor will miss his eighth straight game of the season after suffering a broken forearm back on September 21. He returned to practice late in October, but it's unclear when he'll be ready for full-speed action. The team will also be missing three other defensive starters and one backup. The remaining four on the injury report are listed as probable and should be able to play.
Safety Troy Polamalu (knee) and linebacker Ryan Shazier (ankle) will miss their second consecutive game this week after sustaining injuries in Week 9. Nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) has also been ruled out of tonight's game along with backup safety Shamarko Thomas (hamstring). The Steelers expect to have Polamalu back by Week 13, but the statuses of the rest are unknown moving forward.
The good news is that defensive end Brett Keisel (not injury related), linebacker Arthur Moats (not injury related), cornerback Cortez Allen (thumb) and safety Ross Ventrone (hamstring) are listed as probable.
Tennessee doesn't have anybody ruled out, but all five of the players on their injury report are listed as questionable and may be held out of action tonight. Unfortunately, they're mostly starters and it could be a big problem if more than one are unable to play when decided upon game-time.
Running back Dexter McCluster (knee), tight end Delanie Walker (concussion), running back Leon Washington (hamstring), cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson (back) and defensive tackle Sammie Hill (hamstring) are among tonight's questionables. All of them were limited in practice this week, with the biggest concern coming in the backfield. If McCluster and Washington can't suit up then rookie Bishop Sankey will carry the load. Fellow running back Shonn Greene was bench last week after he fumbled on the goal line against the Baltimore Ravens and he might still be limited tonight.
Fortunately for the Titans, they've won their past two matchups against the Steelers in 2012 and 2013. However, each contest was a one-possession game and the Steelers' recent offensive fire-power could be the difference maker tonight.
Tune in to ESPN at 8:00 p.m. for coverage of Monday Night Football.
