Steelers Get Bad Injury Updates on Jalen Ramsey, Calvin Austin III: Report

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be getting their bye week at an opportune time. But cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Calvin Austin III are likely to need more than one week to heal from injuries they sustained in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings.

That’s what The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported Monday. Dulac tweeted very early in the morning that Ramsey and Austin “are expected to miss at least several games.”

Ramsey suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s matchup in Dublin, Ireland. The veteran cornerback tried to return to the game but Dulac reported his return “didn’t work out.”

Austin exited the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. The receiver received further evaluation at the hospital.

Steelers Lose Jalen Ramsey, Getting Thin at CB

There was a bit of irony with Ramsey suffering his hamstring injury. On the first Steelers defensive possession of the game, the veteran cornerback “mimed” a hamstring ailment during a touchdown celebration.

Like the hamstring issue, the touchdown wasn’t real, as the officials ruled the fumble Ramsey returned out of bounds before he picked it up. Ramsey didn’t get another opportunity at a return touchdown but did suffer a real hamstring injury.

Without the former All-Pro, depth veteran cornerbacks Brandin Echols and James Pierre, along with starter Darius Slay, played a lot for the Steelers late in the fourth quarter. During Ramsey’s absence, the Steelers gave up an 81-yard reception to Jordan Addison.

If there’s any good news about the Steelers secondary, it’s that other players are getting healthy. Safety DeShon Elliott returned Sunday. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. didn’t but he was at least questionable to play in Ireland.

Injury setbacks are always possible, but Porter appears to have a strong chance to play in Pittsburgh’s next game after the bye week.

The question, though, is how long will the “several games” prognosis Dulac reported actually be? If the Steelers place Ramsey on injured reserve, he won’t be eligible to play again until November 9.

Among cornerbacks who have played at least half their team’s defensive snaps through four weeks, Pro Football Focus has Ramsey rated as the Steelers top cornerback. The PFF player grades also have Ramsey ranked as the No. 5 cornerback in the entire league.

In four games this season, Ramsey has posted 14 combined tackles, four pass defenses and one interception.

Calvin Austin III Sends Message on Injury Status

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told the media after Sunday’s game Austin had a shoulder injury. Tomlin added “he thinks” Austin was at the hospital getting treatment.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor basically confirmed that report, posting on X she saw Austin getting into an ambulance. Pryor also wrote that Austin’s arm was in a sling.

Austin addressed the injury with his own post on X at about 3 pm ET on Sunday.

“Great Dub in Dublin! I’m all good Steelers Nation, appreciate the messages and concern!”

If Dulac is correct, though, “all good” doesn’t appear to mean Austin will be ready to go after the bye week.

Should Austin have to miss time, Pittsburgh’s receiver depth will be tested. The Steelers have unproven Roman Wilson and veterans Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek on their receiver depth chart behind DK Metcalf.

On Sunday, pundits begun speculating if the Steelers could pursue outside options. Two of the better free agents available are Odell Beckham Jr. and Diontae Johnson.

Neither inspire a lot of confidence. Beckham will turn 33 in November, and he received just 18 targets in nine games with the Miami Dolphins last season.

The Steelers traded Johnson in March 2024. Since then, four other teams have parted ways with the veteran receiver. It’s unlikely the Steelers would give him another chance.

Maybe a trade for a receiver is possible. But whether general manager Omar Khan pursues that could depend on how long Austin will be sidelined.

Austin has 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns this season.

The Steelers’ next game will be against the Cleveland Browns on October 12.

Yankees Named Top Landing Spot for Pete Alonso After Mets Announcement

The New York Mets will watch their crosstown rival New York Yankees make their playoff run from home after the team lost Sunday's matchup against the Miami Marlins and ended its own season in harsh disappointment.

The Mets made several win-now moves this past winter, including adding Juan Soto and re-signing Pete Alonso, and they held the top spot in the division before a collapse in the standings pushed them out of the picture.

Now Alonso has announced that he will opt out of the remainder of his Mets contract and re-enter free agency. And Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller indicated that there is a good chance he joins the Yankees moving forward.

"The biggest question here isn't the roster fit or willingness of the team to make the investment. It's whether Alonso would be willing to do this to Mets fans," Miller wrote, naming the Yankees as the most likely landing spot for Alonso. "And after a few years of hoping for the best and not getting a whole lot out of late-career Anthony Rizzzo and Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees could be looking to make a long-term investment at first base for the first time since signing Mark Teixeira in 2009."

The Yankees added Goldschmidt on a one-year deal this past winter, but he now plays exclusively against left-handed pitchers and seems unlikely to return. The team could replace him with Ben Rice, but Rice also profiles as a catcher, which could open up first base to another veteran slugger addition.

Alonso would be formidable in a lineup alongside Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for the Yankees. And after a stunning collapse that left them out of the playoffs, the Mets might be taking a hard look at whether they really want to bring back familiar faces for next year and beyond.

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