Steelers TE Vance McDonald Out for MNF vs Bengals With Shoulder Issue
By Michael Luciano
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph will be without his primary security blanket in primetime against a division rival, as Vance McDonald will not play on Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The veteran tight end has been nursing a shoulder injury and is unable to go tonight.
Steelers’ TE Vance McDonald is inactive for tonight’s game against the Bengals due to a shoulder injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 30, 2019
After disappointing for the San Francisco 49ers as a second-round pick out of Rice, McDonald found a home in Pittsburgh, and has given the Steelers a reliable go-to tight end for the first time since Heath Miller.
Last year, McDonald caught 50 passes for 610 yards and four scores. He has 10 catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns in the primarily Rudolph-led offense.
Without McDonald, the Steelers will rely on rookie fifth-rounder Zach Gentry, whom they selected with a pick they acquired in the Antonio Brown trade with the Raiders, and former Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett, who spent part of this offseason working out with Rudolph.
Nick Vannett said he spent 2-3 months this offseason training with Mason Rudolph.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) September 26, 2019
Incase this riveting matchup between two 0-3 teams wasn't exhilarating enough, Pittsburgh is down a starter at a key position.