Steelers Injury Updates: Allen’s Hamstring, Vets Return Soon?

UNITY TWP. Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers concluded their fourth training camp practice Saturday at Saint Vincent College Saturday. The team has a day off Sunday before their first fully-padded practice Monday.

Mike Tomlin gave his daily injury report with only one new player added to it with linebacker Marcus Allen. Allen was said to have a hamstring injury that still needed to be evaluated. Levi Wallace did return from the illness that sidelined him in the Steelers’ Friday practice.

Allen joins a list of veterans who’ve been injured before and/or during the first week of camp. Tyson Alualu and Minkah Fitzpatrick were added to the PUP (physically unable to perform) list and NFI (non-related football injury) list when players reported Tuesday. Larry Ogunjobi has still been limited in practice as the Steelers continue their plan to ease him onto the roster after his offseason foot surgery.

Since then, the Steelers have seen Pat Freiermuth, Miles Killebrew and Chase Claypool go down from injuries, and neither of the three practiced Saturday.

For Freiermuth, he suffered a hamstring injury Thursday that has held him out for two practices. Claypool suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for Saturday’s practice. Tomlin, however, did say that both injuries should be considered day-to-day. There’s a chance both players return next week when the Steelers resume practice.

Killebrew was said to have a pec injury, but no further information has been provided.

One player who wasn’t listed on the injury report but could be seen with a wrap on his right ankle was Connor Heyward. On a catch over the middle, Heyward broke into full stride and a tough of his jersey by a defender led to his feet getting tangled up. He fell on the play and grabbed his ankle before hopping up and heading to the sideline.

He wouldn’t return to play, but he did stay in close proximity to the field. The fact that Tomlin didn’t list him in the injury report is a good sign. It’s also a good sign that Tomlin did mention him in a positive way.

“We’re running a little short at tight end because of Freiermuth,” Tomlin said. “But that gave a guy like Connor Heyward an opportunity to put his skills on display. I thought he stepped up and made some plays today.”

The Steelers have avoided major injuries for the most part of training camp. But that will get put to the test when they start hitting with full pads.