The Pittsburgh Steelers took another tough hit on Sunday night — this time to their secondary. Veteran cornerback Darius Slay exited the game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter after suffering a concussion and did not return.
The injury occurred during a run play when Slay collided with teammate Kyle Dugger, who inadvertently struck him in the head while making a tackle. Slay went down immediately and stayed on the turf before walking off under his own power. He entered the blue medical tent briefly before heading to the locker room and was later ruled out for the remainder of the game.
With Slay sidelined, James Pierre stepped in to finish the night at cornerback.
This marks yet another setback in what’s been a physically demanding season for Slay. The veteran has already battled through multiple issues — including a dislocated finger, a sore shoulder, and a tight calf suffered earlier against Green Bay. Despite those ailments, Sunday’s concussion marked the first time he’s been forced to leave a game this year.
Whether Slay suits up next week against the Indianapolis Colts will depend on how quickly he can clear the NFL’s concussion protocol. The process typically takes several days, meaning his status for Week 10 remains uncertain.
The Steelers, now sitting at 5–4, can’t afford more defensive losses as they try to stay afloat in a crowded AFC playoff picture.
