The Pittsburgh Steelers will be missing one of their key cornerbacks as they prepare for their crucial matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Darius Slay Jr., who has been in the concussion protocol, has officially been ruled out according to the team”s final injury report of the week. Although Slay was upgraded to a limited participant in practice, he will not be able to contribute on game day.
Slay”s performance has been inconsistent since signing a one-year deal with the Steelers in the offseason, but his absence leaves the defense in a challenging position against a Bengals passing attack that previously exploited their weaknesses in Week 7.
During that matchup, which took place on October 16, 2025, at Paycor Stadium, the Steelers struggled significantly as Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Ja”Marr Chase had a standout performance, recording 161 yards on 16 receptions, which included a touchdown, leading the Bengals to a narrow 33-31 victory.
This season, the Steelers” defense has allowed an average of 269.4 passing yards per game, the highest in the league. Slay”s absence will undoubtedly add to their challenges as they prepare to face the formidable duo of Chase and Tee Higgins.
As the Steelers look to fill the gap left by Slay, they will continue to rely heavily on Joey Porter Jr. in the secondary. There remains uncertainty regarding whether Asante Samuel Jr. will be activated from the practice squad for this game, following his recent signing. However, the team will have Brandin Echols and James Pierre available to support Porter at cornerback, while Jalen Ramsey and Kyle Dugger will handle the safety positions.
The Steelers are facing mounting injuries this season, with Slay being the latest player to be sidelined. The defense will need to step up significantly to contain the Bengals in this critical division clash.
