Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen suffered a lower back bruise that was initially described as a hip contusion on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. That issue is not expected to keep him out long term, but Queen could not run after the injury on Sunday.
If that does not improve throughout the week, it could mean the Steelers will be without their top linebacker against the Baltimore Ravens in what is a crucial AFC North matchup.
Queen has dealt with some lingering issues this year, but has not missed a game yet. Once he left in the second quarter of the team’s loss to the Bills, the run defense, which had already struggled, fell off even more from there. He was replaced by a combination of Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison.
Queen is a two-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro in 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers signed Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract that will keep him with the team through the 2026 season. With money already sunken into the position with Roquan Smith, the Baltimore Ravens had to let Queen walk. Queen was notably upset the Ravens never offered him a deal to even think about returning.
He will hope to play in that game against the Ravens, but there is no guarantee he will be able to play with what is a painful injury.