Steelers lose another ILB for season as Kwon Alexander suffers ‘serious’ Achilles injury

A “luxury” has quickly turned into a liability of attrition for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During the game following one in which they lost a starting inside linebacker to a season-ending injury, it reportedly happened again Sunday for the Steelers. Kwon Alexander suffered what coach Mike Tomlin called “a serious lower-body injury” during the first quarter of Sunday’s win against the Green Bay Packers.

“Not promising (prognosis),” Tomlin said.

ESPN reported Alexander’s Achilles injury is season-ending.

During the Nov. 2 win against the Tennessee Titans, Cole Holcomb suffered a significant knee injury that will keep him out the rest of the season.

Holcomb and Alexander formed two-thirds of the timeshare at inside linebacker for the Steelers. Elandon Roberts is the last man standing. Mark Robinson is the only other inside linebacker on the 53-man roster, though Tariq Carpenter and Kyron Johnson are on the practice squad.

Carpenter was elevated to the gameday roster against the Packers.

Throughout the week leading into Sunday’s game, Steelers players and coaches referred to the “luxury” of having three starting-capable veteran inside linebackers for (at most) two spots on the field at any given time. Now, they’re down to one of those three.

How can you lose a starter to a season-ending injury but actually emerge not, in fact, being down a starter? https://t.co/SWLPiMi34W

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) November 12, 2023

Kuntz, Johnson return

Long snapper Christian Kuntz, receiver Diontae Johnson and safety Keanu Neal also suffered injuries during the 23-19 win Sunday. Kuntz and Johnson returned to action.

Kuntz had an ice pack on his left ankle after the game, and Tomlin said Johnson had a thumb injury.

Neal did not play after making an interception off a tipped ball in the end zone with 3 minutes, 20 seconds to play in the game. He suffered a rib injury, per Tomlin. After the game, Neal said he was going to have an MRI to assess the extent of his injury.

“When I got tackled, I just fell on the ball,” Neal said. “They just wanted to make sure I was OK.”

The Steelers’ next two games are the road meetings with their AFC North rivals from Ohio.

“We’ve got to assess who is available to us and put together a good plan,” Tomlin said.

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