The Pittsburgh Steelers face a high-stakes battle against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18, with playoff seeding hanging in the balance. This AFC North showdown is more than a rivalry game for the Steelers—it’s a must-win scenario to avoid going to Baltimore to take on the Ravens in the first round of the postseason.
Pittsburgh’s defense, led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, must contain Cincinnati’s explosive offense powered by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson needs to take care of the football, and the Steelers’ offense must step up against a Bengals defense that’s improved each week.
The key for Pittsburgh will be winning the trenches as Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren look to establish dominance early. With both teams eyeing postseason glory, expect fireworks and a gritty battle at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers fans know the stakes—win to secure the 5th seed and host the Houston Texans. Lose and they’ll face a very tough Ravens team that exposed Pittsburgh in Week 16.
Here’s a look at the final injury and practice participation report for Bengals week:
Steelers injury report
| Player | Injury | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Game status |
| QB Justin Fields | abdominal | FP | FP | FP | – |
| QB Russell Wilson | NIR | LP | FP | FP | – |
| *WR Roman Wilson | hamstring | FP | FP | FP | out |
| WR Ben Skowrownek | hip | LP | FP | FP | – |
| CB Joey Porter Jr. | knee | FP | FP | FP | – |
| CB Donte Jackson | back | – | LP | LP | questionable |
| RB Jaylen Warren | ribs | FP | FP | FP | – |
| *LB Cole Holcomb | knee | LP | LP | LP | out |
| *DT Logan Lee | calf | LP | LP | LP | out |
| G Isaac Seumalo | NIR | DNP | FP | F{ | – |
* In designated 21-day window to return from reserve/injured list
DNP: Did not practice
LP: Limited participation
FP: Full participation
NIR: Not injury related – resting
Bengals injury report
| Player | Injury | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Game status |
| RB Chase Brown | ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | questionable |
| OT Orlando Brown Jr. | fibula | LP | LP | FP | – |
| QB Joe Burrow | wrist/knee | LP | LP | FP | – |
| OT Devin Cochran | NIR | DNP | FP | FP | – |
| WR Tee Higgins | ankle/knee | LP | LP | LP | questionable |
| DE Sam Hubbard | knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | out |
| TE Tanner Hudson | knee | LP | LP | FP | – |
| DT McKinnley Jackson | wrist | FP | FP | FP | – |
| DT Kris Jenkins Jr. | knee | LP | LP | FP | – |
| WR Charlie Jones | groin | LP | LP | LP | questionable |
| DT Amarius Mims | ankle/hand | LP | LP | DNP | questionable |
| TE Drew Sample | groin | DNP | DNP | DNP | questionable |
| DE Trey Hendrickson | NIR | – | LP | FP | – |
| CB Cam Taylor-Britt | ankle | – | – | LP | questionable |
DNP: Did not practice
LP: Limited participation
FP: Full participation
NIR: Not injury related – resting
Joey Porter Jr. injury update
Joey Porter Jr. suffered a knee injury during Pittsburgh’s Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and his absence has been debilitating for the secondary. Porter has been a full practice participant all week, so expect him to suit up on Saturday.
Roman Wilson injury update
The rookie receiver, who sustained a hamstring injury leading up to the Week 7 Jets matchup, has played in only one matchup this season: All of five snaps with zero targets in Week 6 versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Wilson remains on injured reserve, but his full practice participation bodes well for a potential active roster spot in the first round of the playoffs. Steelers Nation doesn’t expect much from him, but given how the offense has struggled without a No. 2 receiver, things can’t get any worse.
Jaylen Warren injury update
Warren improved from limited on Tuesday to full practice participant on Wednesday and Thursday. He sustained a rib injury during the Chiefs’ Week 17 loss. Warren has out-snapped Najee Harris in the last four games, and it seems Mike Tomlin is preparing him for a starter workload.
