Joe Haden continues to recover from groin injury, playing time decision remains

A groin injury could prevent Joe Haden from making the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 2 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. As Jeremy Fowler noted, the veteran cornerback continues to recover from his groin injury, but remains a playing time decision on Sunday.

Few injury nuggets for Week 2.

-Bills WR Gabriel Davis (ankle) is expected to play vs Dolphins.

-Steelers CB Joe Haden (questionable, groin) is rehabbing over weekend in hopes of playing. He could be more of a game-day decision for Raiders game.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 19, 2021

Haden was an integral part of the Steelers’ defense that ended the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. The triple Pro Bowler made five tackles and a forced fumble, helping the Steelers limit the Bills to 254 passing yards in a 23-16 win.

Justin Layne is next on the Steelers depth chart and could start if Haden isn’t cleared to play. Layne has appeared in 27 games for the Steelers throughout his career but has yet to start. The Michigan State product played 52 percent of the special team’s snaps in Week 1, registering a tackle, but did not enter the defensive end of the ball.

The Pittsburgh high school will have their hands full with an assault-heavy Raiders offense on Sunday. Derek Carr made 56 passing attempts in Week 1, with throws of 435 yards and two touchdowns.

The Steelers enter their Week 2 contest as -5.5 favorites, with a total set at 46.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook line information.