Abdomen injury to LG Kevin Dotson puts availability in question for Steelers' game vs. Saints

The Pittsburgh Steelers could have a change to the composition of their offensive line when they play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.

Left guard Kevin Dotson is listed as questionable with an abdomen injury after being a limited participant in practice Friday.

Dotson has started all eight games this season, as have the other four starters on the offensive line.

Kendrick Green is listed as the backup left tackle, but he has been a game-day inactive for all eight games. Jesse Davis, a veteran guard/tackle acquired from Minnesota before the start of the season, has appeared in five games with the Steelers and could replace Dotson at left guard. He would slot between left tackle Dan Moore and center Mason Cole.

“I feel pretty good with them,” Davis said Friday. “Obviously, I haven’t played a game with them at all, but the comfortability I think was pretty good.”

Davis spent five seasons in Miami before joining Minnesota in the offseason. He started 72 of 80 games with the Dolphins. He was a right guard early in his career before moving to tackle.

He said he is getting accustomed to his role on the Steelers.

“I feel like we’ve been jelling well together,” he said. “It’s understanding the scheme that week and the playbook that week. So far, I think we’ve done pretty well.”

The Steelers will face the Saints without two cornerbacks: Ahkello Witherspoon, who aggravated a hamstring injury this week, and William Jackson III, who continues to be bothered by a back injury that he sustained before the Steelers acquired him from Washington last week.

Before returning against Philadelphia and giving up two long touchdown receptions, Witherspoon had missed four games because of his injury.

Cam Sutton and Levi Wallace, who is returning from a shoulder injury, are expected to be the outside corners this week.

While outside linebacker T.J. Watt is expected to be activated from injured reserve, the Steelers could be without his replacement. Malik Reed is listed as questionable to play against the Saints. Reed missed practice Thursday for a personal reason, and he was only a limited participant Friday.

Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, like Wallace, is trending to return from a one-game absence. Ogunjobi, who didn’t play against Philadelphia with a knee injury, was a full practice participant Friday.

Inside linebacker Myles Jack, who missed two days of practice with a knee injury this week, also was listed as a full participant and isn’t on the status report.