Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, Ryan Shazier out for Steelers vs. Titans

The Pittsburgh Steelers are right in the thick of the AFC playoff-race with the likes of their fellow division rivals. They, along with the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns are all within a game of each other, meaning one team can go from first to last place in the span of a week.

Needless to say, Cincinnati needs Pittsburgh to keep losing to keep them out of the playoff picture, and it's going to be hard for Pitt this week when they take on the Tennessee Titans without several key players.

On Tuesday, Steelers head coach mike Tomlin announced that they will be without safety Troy Polamalu, linebacker Ryan Shazier and cornerback Ike Taylor.

Shazier is battling an ankle injury, suffered during a Week 9 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Polamalu suffered a knee injury in that same game.

As for Taylor, he's been out since Week 3 after breaking his forearm vs. the Carolina Panthers. The team is also without linebacker Jarvis Jones as he recovers from a broken wrist. He's still on I.R. with the designation to return.