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Coming off a strong effort in the season opener last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense was without two of its starters for Sunday’s home game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cornerback Joe Haden and inside linebacker Devin Bush were late additions to the Week 2 injury report, each being listed as having groin injuries. Coach Mike Tomlin said each was injured in practice Friday.
Haden missed a game because of injury for the eighth time over his five seasons with the Steelers. Bush missed the final 11 games of last season because of a torn ACL.
After being a late scratch for last week’s win at the Buffalo Bills when he suffered a shin injury during warm-ups, Robert Spillane started in place of Bush. James Pierre started at left cornerback in lieu of Haden.
The trickle-down effect on the Steelers’ led to recent trade acquisition Ahkello Witherspoon coming in when they deploy six defensive backs.
A healthy scratch the previous week against the Bills, Witherspoon was beaten on Henry Ruggs’ 61-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
The only other player for which there was mystery of his playing status Sunday, No. 3 tight end Zach Gentry, did play against the Raiders. Gentry is said to have an ankle injury.
It was announced Friday that reserve defensive lineman is Carlos Davis would not play against the Raiders because of a knee injury. Taking Davis’ place in the lineup was rookie defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk, the fifth-round pick who made his NFL regular-season debut.
Bush’s injury means that fourth-round pick Buddy Johnson again was in uniform. All eight of the Steelers’ draft picks who made the 53-man roster played against the Raiders. If you count punter Pressley Harvin III, six rookies started the season opener at Buffalo.
The Steelers’ healthy scratches were No. 3 quarterback Dwayne Haskins and reserve interior offensive lineman Rashaad Coward.
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at cadamski@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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