Ramsey Is Questionable, and the Names Behind Him Are Kent, Vigers, and Hurleman

Jalen Ramsey is listed questionable, which at this point in the season means Pittsburgh's cornerback situation is one pregame warmup away from being entirely in the hands of three players who were depth chart filler two months ago. DeShon Elliott is on injured reserve. Michael Pittman Jr. is out on the offensive side, which compounds things — fewer reliable weapons means opposing defenses can commit more to the pass rush, which means Rodgers needs to get the ball out faster, which means the corners get tested longer.

The analyst piece that ran yesterday made the point plainly enough: the veteran safeties Pittsburgh added aren't cornerbacks, and Sean Murphy-Bunting covering for an absent Ramsey is a different proposition than Ramsey himself. The corner depth — Kent, Vigers, Hurleman — has been the answer since the Porter Jr. trade to Dallas, and nothing has changed that math.

Pittsburgh clinched, so there's a floor here. But this team built its season on winning close games, and close games in January get decided in the secondary. Ramsey's status for the week is the only injury question that matters right now.