The Pittsburgh Steelers have suffered a major setback heading into their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Monday that

special teams captain Miles Killebrew has been ruled out due to a significant right knee injury sustained in Sunday’s 23–9 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Killebrew went down midway through the second quarter after awkwardly planting his right leg on kickoff coverage. He was immediately helped off the field and could not put weight on the injured leg. Moments later, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game and carted to the locker room.

After the game, Tomlin provided a brief but sobering update:

“We’ve got some bumps and bruises associated with play. The only one that’s worth mentioning of any significance is Miles Killebrew. He’s got a significant knee injury,” Tomlin said. “I’ll have more updates in the not-so-distant future.”

When asked whether the Acrisure Stadium field conditions may have contributed to the injury — a concern raised by quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier in the day — Tomlin declined to speculate:

“I have no idea,” he said.

Killebrew, 31, has been a model of consistency and leadership since joining Pittsburgh in 2021 after five seasons with the Detroit Lions. Drafted in the

fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Killebrew earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2023 for his impact on special teams and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in 2024

.

The veteran safety is a core part of a deep defensive backfield that includes DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark, Juan Thornhill, and Jabrill Peppers. His absence will be felt not only on kick coverage but also in the locker room, where his leadership has set the tone for Pittsburgh’s defensive identity.

Tomlin acknowledged the emotional toll of losing a player of Killebrew’s stature:

“He’s our captain. We can hurt for him as a man, teammate, and individual. But one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity,” the coach said.

Meanwhile, the Steelers received some good news on other injuries. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (head) and veteran Darius Slay (shoulder) — both banged up against Cleveland — have been cleared to play Thursday night in Cincinnati.

The Steelers will now turn to Miles Boykin and Elijah Riley to help fill the special teams void as they prepare for a divisional showdown that could further cement their control over the

AFC North.

Killebrew’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, but early signs suggest he could miss multiple weeks — a tough blow for a team built on toughness and discipline.