Steelers linebacker out for game after suffering knee injury

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane suffered a knee injury Sunday against the Bengals and did not return, per Steelers director of communications Burt Lauten. Pittsburgh lost to Cincinnati in embarrassing fashion by score of 41-10.

Spillane had one tackle before exiting the game.

After playing college football for Western Michigan, the linebacker went undrafted in 2018. The Titans gave him a chance and he played one season in Tennessee before signing with the Steelers in 2019. So far in 2021, Spillane has recorded 15 tackles.

With the Steelers entering Sunday’s contest just a half-game back from the Bengals, this loss serves as a crushing blow. Cincinnati jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter and didn’t look back.

Bengals running back Joe Mixon sliced up the Steelers defense for a career-high 165 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Steelers as a whole managed just 51 yards on the ground. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also struggled, finished 24-of-41 for 263 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Cincinnati used a huge second quarter to pull away from Pittsburgh, scoring three touchdowns while also holding the Steelers without a point. Both the offense and defense got involved, as Mike Hilton intercepted Roethlisberger with 30 seconds left until halftime, returning it for a touchdown.

After kicking a field goal with 2:17 left in the first quarter, the Steelers wouldn’t score again until 2:59 in the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger connected with rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth for a 15-yard touchdown, the team’s first of the game.

The loss moves Pittsburgh into last place in the AFC North standings. The Steelers will hope linebacker Robert Spillane can make a quick return from his knee injury to play next week. Otherwise, they’re facing an even tougher challenge against AFC North foe Baltimore. Kickoff for that big game is set for 4:25 p.m. ET next Sunday in Pirttsburgh.