PITTSBURGH — Steelers defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal left the game against the San Francisco 49ers with an elbow injury and is questionable to return, the team announced on Sunday.
It is unclear when Leal suffered the injury, but he joins a list of Steelers defensive linemen dealing with ailments. Cam Heyward has been in and out with a groin injury, while a foot injury nags Larry Ogunjobi. The injuries there are starting to add up, and defensive lineman Armon Watts is sitting as one of the team’s inactives. So far, rookie Keeanu Benton and DeMarvin Leal have been the players getting most of the snaps in that place.
Leal came into the game announced as a starter over Ogunjobi and has played significantly. The injury could complicate things up front while the Steelers try to figure out how to slow down the 49ers rushing attack. Christian McCaffrey has 11 carries for 52 yards so far, while the team at large has 16 carries for 69 yards. They have worked that rushing attack off a deadly play-action game that has netted the 49ers some big plays in this game.
Now, the Steelers have to regroup after a disastrous first half. From injuries to play on both sides of the football, nothing has gone right for Pittsburgh. The injuries along the defensive front will do anything but help what they wanted to do against a talented 49ers offense.
Update: Leal has returned to the game.
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