The injuries are piling up in Pittsburgh.
Steelers second-year running back Jaylen Samuels underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Monday and is expected to be out a month, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday.
Samuels, who has 18 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown, 13 catches for 83 yards and has completed 4 of 5 passes for 35 yards and an interception this season, suffered the injury Sunday against Baltimore and was seen on crutches at the team's practice facility Tuesday.
"We had him evaluated and saw that that was necessary, so we made the decision to fix it ASAP and it was fixed yesterday," Tomlin said.
Tomlin added that quarterback Mason Rudolph remains in the concussion protocol after being knocked unconscious by Ravens safety Earl Thomas but "appears to be doing fine." There's no timetable for his return, though he's unlikely to play in Week 6, especially with the team's Week 7 bye looming.
Should he be ruled out, backup Devlin Hodges will be ready to fill in under center in Rudolph's absence once again.
As for the malfunctioning medical cart that also caused a stir, Tomlin explained it was a non-issue.
"Mason Rudolph walked off the field because he chose to and medical experts were comfortable for him to do so. The medical cart not functioning was irrelevant."
Other injuries: CB Steve Nelson (groin), WR James Washington (shoulder), Mark Barron (hamstring). Tomlin said Washington and Barron can be listed as questionable for Chargers.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) October 8, 2019
With the undermanned Steelers set to travel to Los Angeles this week, Tomlin refused to address rumors that he is the leading candidate for the Redskins' coaching vacancy after Jay Gruden was fired Monday.
"I’m not worried about that," Tomlin said. "I’m the head coach of a 1-4 football team that’s going on the road to play a Hall of Fame quarterback with a third-string quarterback. Do you think I’m worried about anything other than that?"
The Steelers (1-4) are slated to visit the Chargers (2-3) at 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday.