Steelers vs Bucs: 5 Steelers starters out vs Tampa Bay

The Steelers will only have one regular starter in the secondary on Sunday.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is going into Sunday’s game severely hobbled on defense. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to be wringing their hands like a supervillain at taking on a Steelers secondary that will be missing its top three cornerbacks and starting free safety.

Here is the full rundown for Sunday’s game.

CB Levi Wallace OUT

CB Ahkello Witherspoon OUT

CB Cameron Sutton OUT

S Minkah Fitzpatrick OUT

DE MeMarvin Leal OUT

TE Pat Freiermuth OUT

At this point, the Steelers’ secondary is going to see a lineup of James Pierre and practice-squad player Josh Jackson as the outside corners, Arthur Maulet in the slot and newly-added Duke Dawson as the No. 4 corner. Tre Norwood would start at safety again this week but this time replacing Minkah Fitzpatrick as opposed to Terrell Edmunds, who returns.

On offense, tight end Pat Freiermuth is in the concussion protocol and will be replaced as TE1 by Zach Gentry. This will also give rookie Connor Heyward a chance to see an increased role in the passing game.

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