Larry Ogunjobi Returns to Practice, Jack, Reed Sit Out Thursday
The Steelers were missing a group of defensive players during Thursday’s practice, most of whom are dealing with injuries. However, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (knee) returned to practice for the first time since suffering the knee injury against the Miami Dolphins.
Cornerbacks William Jackson (back), Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring), and Levi Wallace (shoulder) are listed on the injury report — while only the latter was a participant this afternoon. Nursing a hurt knee, linebacker Myles Jack wasn’t dressed for practice for the second day in a row.
Long snapper Christian Kuntz (ribs) joined Wallace as a full participant. Wallace missed Pittsburgh’s week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In an unsurprising move after the addition of Matthew Wright, the Steelers placed kicker Chris Boswell on the injured reserve Thursday afternoon.
Other absences included Malik Reed, who was excused for personal reasons, and nose tackle Cam Heyward, who was taking a regular rest day.
The crowded list isn’t particularly a promising sign for a unit that ranks fourth-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (395.1). The secondary, which has been banged up in some form for at least a month, has given up 277.3 yards through the air per week.
On the flip side, Pittsburgh’s offense appears to be fully healthy, which will allow the attack to get some much-needed reps. The unit grades out as the second-worst at scoring in the league to this point, with 15.0 points per game. Only Indianapolis, which has already gotten rid of its offensive coordinator and head coach, has done worse in that category (14.7).
Ahead of the two teams’ matchup on Sunday afternoon, New Orleans is also making do without some key pieces. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore is unlikely to play with an abodmen injury he suffered against Seattle in Week 5. Tailback Mark Ingram wasn’t seen at the Saints’ practice session with a knee injury. He’s expected to be ruled out on Friday.
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