Steelers LB Kwon Alexander questionable to return vs. Packers with leg injury

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered a leg injury during the first quarter of the Week 10 home matchup against the Green Bay Packers (3-5).

Alexander headed immediately to the locker room after coming out of the blue medical tent, according to Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now. The Steelers ruled Alexander questionable to return. Mark Robinson, a core special teamer, has replaced Alexander at inside linebacker.

The Steelers entered Sunday’s contest thin at the position after Cole Holcomb suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 20-16 Week 9 victory over the Tennessee Titans (3-5) last Thursday. Robinson spoke this week of potentially seeing more playing time in Holcomb’s absence.

“Well, you know, I don’t know anything about roles or playing time because that’s so tied to game flow. But whatever I have, I’m going to be prepared for that, but that’s like any week. Really, I came into this week preparing like it was just another week,” Robinson said.

He now replaces Alexander, who entered the game fifth on the Steelers with 41 tackles (32 solo), five tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble.

Kwon Alexander becomes latest Steeler to go down with injury

The Steelers are already without star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, who missed three straight days of practice this week, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. He sustained the injury in the 20-10 Week 8 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2). The three-time All-Pro leads the Steelers with 54 tackles (37 solo).

“We obviously still don’t know how long Mink will be out,” cornerback Patrick Peterson said, via the team’s website. “We all know that he’s the soul and the heartbeat of the secondary. Wish him nothing but the best. But he’s in the meeting room with us each and every day. He’s on the sideline. Communicating with guys, helping guys understand what positions they need to be in. And certain calls, certain concepts to look for.

“He’s around each and every day helping the guys that are stepping in for his position like me, [Damontae] Kazee and Keanu [Neal].”