The Steelers have struggled all season, and really throughout 2016, to have their starting offense together thanks to injuries and suspensions.
In addition to Ben Roethlisberger‘s injury, the player expected to be Pittsburgh’s primary slot receiver, Eli Rogers, was unavailable against the Patriots last weekend. A source informed Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link) the wideout was serving a Mike Tomlin-issued suspension for an unspecified violation in Week 7.
Rogers missed two games earlier in the season with turf toe and has struggled to make an impact since a solid opening-night performance that saw the newcomer catch six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown, one that came off a deflection. The second-year UDFA who spent last season on IR has 13 receptions for 135 yards this season.
Pittsburgh has featured exactly zero members of the projected statistic-accruing contingent of its starting offense suit up for all seven games.
Roethlisberger remains out due to his recent knee injury, and Le’Veon Bell incurred a three-game drug suspension. Martavis Bryant is suspended for the season, and Ladarius Green began it on the PUP list. Neither Rogers nor Markus Wheaton has been healthy throughout, either.
Antonio Brown has played all 7 games.
Eli needs to grow up or he will be delivery UPS packages soon.
Reports have said that Eli was late to Saturday’s walk-through practice, and that it wasn’t the first time he was late to a practice or meeting. He’s in a good situation and has Ben’s trust on the field. Don’t blow it, Eli.