Five Steelers Regulars Miss Practice on Tuesday

PITTSBURGH — Five Pittsburgh Steelers regulars were listed as not practicing with the team on Tuesday, despite head coach Mike Tomlin saying they all have a chance to play for the team this Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Wide receiver George Pickens, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, quarterback Justin Fields, strong safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Donte Jackson all did not practice. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was listed as practicing in a limited capacity.

Tomlin said on Monday that all six of his injured regulars — five starters and Fields — have a chance to get back to action agains the Ravens on Saturday, despite the short week.

“None of these six guys could be characterized as ‘out’ as I sit here today,” Tomlin said.

Pickens was spotted doing ball security drills with the rest of the wide receivers. He has been out since injuring his hamstring after practice on Dec. 5. He missed each of the last two games, and Tuesday’s practice appearance, despite the DNP label, was his first since the injury.

Fields was also sighted during the early portion of practice, but he was wearing sweats while watching Russell Wilson and Kyle Allen hand the ball off to the team’s running backs. Fields suffered an abdominal injury while sliding for a first down against the Eagles on Sunday.

Watt also suffered an injury against the Eagles, going down late in the game with a low, left ankle sprain. His absence from practice on Tuesday shouldn’t be taken as a strong sign for his availability this week. Watt has had the first day of the practice week off for most of this year, and on a short week, he almost certainly would not have been practicing on Tuesday, even if healthy.

Jackson has been dealing with his back injury for two weeks. He left the Browns game with the injury on Dec. 8, but was able to return. A week later, he aggravated the pinched nerve in his back against the Eagles, and that time, was unable to return. He said he plans to try to practice later this week.

Elliott suffered a hamstring injury against the Browns. He ran at practice on Friday before the Eagles game, but was not seen during the early portions of Tuesday’s work day.

Ogunjobi was listed as a limited participant. He injured his groin against the Browns, and was also spotted at practice last Friday before missing the Eagles game.