Steelers RT Chuks Okorafor Expects to Play Through Elbow Injury

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers right tackle Chuks Okorafor said that he will be fine to play this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens after missing the team’s practice on Wednesday.

Okorafor has missed a practice in consecutive weeks with an elbow injury, but he played through it in Week 4 against the Houston Texans and expects to do so again this week.

Beyond that, he’s not sure when he’ll be fully 100%, but does not anticipate missing a game at this point.

“I’ll be good to go Sunday,” Okorafor said. “Beyond that, I’m taking it week by week.”

Okorafor has been incredibly durable in his time as the Steelers’ starting right tackle. Since he ascended to the starting role in Week 2 of the 2020 season, he has missed just one game, and his toughness and reliability are probably an underrated aspect of the reason he’s largely been unchallenged as the team’s starting right tackle.

Okorafor has allowed one sacks and six hurries this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Four of those hurries and the sack have come over the last two weeks, while Okorafor may have been playing at less than 100%.

The Steelers are already playing without starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who has been ruled out this week with a right knee sprain. Right guard James Daniels missed the team’s Week 4 game against the Houston Texans with a groin injury and has yet to return to practice.

First-round draft pick Broderick Jones will start at left tackle, while veteran backup Nate Herbig will step in again at right guard if Daniels is unable to return.

If for some reason Okorafor would be unable to play or finish the game on Sunday, Dylan Cook is the next man up at right tackle. Cook was dressed for the first time with the Steelers on Sunday, but did not enter the game.