The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into Week 6 with one of the most injury-plagued rosters in the league. Key players, including first-round pick Troy Fautanu and guard James Daniels, have been sidelined, while injuries have also hit the team’s running backs and edge rushers, making the road ahead more difficult. After dropping two straight games, Pittsburgh is in a tough spot, but they aren’t alone in dealing with major absences.

Their upcoming matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders may offer some relief, as the Raiders are also set to miss critical players. Both teams are struggling, but the absence of key Raiders could potentially swing the game in favor of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh’s Injury Woes

The Steelers have faced adversity in their first five games of the season. First-round pick Troy Fautanu was lost for the year, and veteran guard James Daniels is out with an Achilles injury. The team’s backfield has also been hit hard, with two of their top three running backs sidelined due to soft tissue injuries. The pass rush has also taken a significant hit with injuries to edge rushers Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith. On top of that, backup edge rusher DeMarvin Leal is also unavailable for the upcoming game.

Despite these setbacks, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers continue to push forward, but the injury list makes it difficult to play at full capacity. Traveling out west to face the Raiders has historically been challenging for Pittsburgh, especially with their inconsistent offense. However, this week they catch a fortunate break with Las Vegas missing some of their most important players.

Raiders Hit by Major Injuries

The Raiders are set to play without two of their best players, giving Pittsburgh a chance to capitalize. On October 8, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins underwent surgery for a Jones fracture, leaving him out indefinitely. The next day, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN confirmed that All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams will also miss Week 6 with a hamstring injury.

Wilkins has been a dominant force on the Raiders’ defense, notching a half-sack in each of the past three games, and Adams is the focal point of Las Vegas’ passing attack. Without these two key players, the Raiders’ depth and talent will be severely tested, making them more vulnerable against the Steelers.

While Las Vegas still has playmakers like pass rusher Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers, the absence of Wilkins and Adams will leave them struggling to match the Steelers’ intensity. There is speculation that Adams could be holding out as he is unhappy with his current situation, potentially hoping to avoid further injury ahead of the trade deadline. Pittsburgh, one of the teams involved in trade rumors surrounding Adams, could benefit from this development.

A Potential Turning Point for Pittsburgh?

For the Steelers, the losses to their own roster are still significant, especially in the pass-rushing department. However, the Raiders’ missing stars might just provide the opportunity Pittsburgh needs to snap their two-game skid. While nothing is guaranteed, the Steelers must take advantage of Las Vegas’ weakened lineup and avoid underestimating the Raiders’ remaining talent.

Pittsburgh may be stuck in a difficult stretch, but if they can secure a win on the road in Week 6, it could be the turning point they desperately need. The task at hand remains challenging, but the recent developments make it a winnable game.