DeAngelo Williams likely out for Steelers vs. Bengals

There is reportedly a chance that Williams could be able to return for the divisional round, but Pittsburgh will first have to win a hard matchup against an AFC North rival.

That means the Steelers have a big question mark at running back.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams is likely out for the team’s wild-card game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a foot injury, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Second-year pro Fitzgerald Toussaint, who has just 24 career carries, is expected to start against the Bengals, with Jordan Todman as his backup.

The Steelers ruled DeAngelo Williams out Friday and he is among the seven inactive players. “I think it’s appropriate to build our plan around (those two), guys that have been here, guys that are healthy and guys that are willing and capable of being positive contributors to our efforts”, Tomlin said. The running back, who has appeared in five games this year, told the Steelers’ website that he will have to be ready to take on the task. Pittsburgh signed Todman on September 6 after Todman was one of the final cuts in Carolina and added Toussaint to the practice squad a day later. Williams has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in a game three times since Week 9 and finished the season with 907 yards and a league-leading 11 rushing touchdowns. “I see very little schematic difference in terms of how they’re attacking people, whether (McCarron’s) in there or whether Andy (Dalton) is in there”, Tomlin said. They are excited about seeing him get an opportunity, because he’s a guy that doesn’t say much. Over the last several games Ben Roethlisberger has been forcing too many passes into tight windows or double teams and his numbers have suffered.