Five Injured Steelers Have ‘Real Chance’ to Return vs. Chiefs
PITTSBURGH — Five Pittsburgh Steelers players that missed Saturday’s Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens appear to be in line to have a chance to play this Wednesday, when the team hosts the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium.
Strong safety DeShon Elliott, quarterback Justin Fields, cornerback Donte Jackson, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and wide receiver George Pickens all did not play against the Ravens, but Tomlin said will have a shot to play on Wednesday.
“Some guys that didn’t play yesterday who have a real chance this week — Justin Fields, DeShon Elliott, Donte Jackson, George Pickens and Larry Ogunjobi — all have an opportunity to play this week,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see where the week leads us from their inclusion.”
Jackson and Ogunjobi appeared to be the closest to a return. They were both listed as questionable for Saturday’s game and Ogunjobi took part in warmups at M&T Bank Stadium before being ruled out just before game time.
The Steelers defensive tackle has been out since suffering a groin injury during the team’s Week 14 win over the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8. Dean Lowry started at defensive end in the base defense in place of Ogunjobi, with nose tackle Keeanu Benton stepping up to the first line in Nickel and Dime alignments.
Jackson was also first injured in that game, suffering a pinched nerve in his back. He was able to return against Cleveland, but re-injured his back against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, and did not return to that contest.
Elliott was also injured against Cleveland. He was able to finish that game, but has missed the last two, with Minkah Fitzpatrick shifting to strong safety and Damontae Kazee replacing him at free safety. Elliott was limited in practice on Thursday, but was listed as doubtful against the Eagles before being downgraded to out.
Pickens injured his hamstring in practice before the Browns game and has yet to return to practice.
Fields was hurt while sliding on a run against the Eagles and also did not practice last week. Kyle Allen served as the backup quarterback against the Ravens.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT
| Player | Injury | Date | Prognosis | Sun | Mon | Tue | Game |
| WR Ben Skowronek | Hip | Dec. 21 | TBD | DBT | |||
| CB Joey Porter Jr. | Right knee, PCL sprain | Dec. 21 | TBD | DBT | |||
| QB Justin Fields | Abdomen | Dec. 15 | Day to day | QST | |||
| SS DeShon Elliott | Hamstring | Dec. 8 | Day to day | QST | |||
| CB Donte Jackson | Back/pinched nerve | Dec. 8 | Day to day | QST | |||
| DT Larry Ogunjobi | Groin | Dec. 8 | Day to day | QST | |||
| WR George Pickens | Hamstring | Dec. 6 | Day to day | QST |
STEELERS INJURED RESERVE
| Player | Injury | Date | Prognosis | Roster Status |
| OT Calvin Anderson | Groin | Dec. 13 | Three weeks | Injured reserve |
| CB Zyon Gilbert | Knee | Nov. 16 | TBD | Practice squad IR |
| CB C.J. Henderson | Neck | Nov. 14 | Week to week | Injured reserve |
| CB Anthony Averett | TBD | Oct. 17 | TBD | Practice squad IR |
| WR Roman Wilson | Hamstring | Oct. 17 | Week to week | Injured reserve |
| DE DeMarvin Leal | Neck/stinger | Oct. 6 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| RG James Daniels | Achilles | Sept. 29 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| RT Troy Fautanu | R knee dislocation | Sept. 20 | Regular season | Injured reserve |
| P Cameron Johnston | Right knee | Sept. 8 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| SS Ryan Watts | Neck/stinger | Aug. 24 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| DL Logan Lee | Calf | Aug. 20 | Week to week | Injured reserve |
| C Nate Herbig | Torn rotator cuff | Aug. 14 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| OLB David Perales | Left MCL tear | July 31 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| ILB Cole Holcomb | Left knee surgery | Nov. 2, 2023 | Week to week | PUP/reserve |
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