Steelers Get 3 Back from Injury; 5 Starters Still Out

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers got three regulars back to full participation in practice on Thursday as the team continued its preparation at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side for its Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hip), nose tackle Montravius Adams Sr. (hip) and tight end Zach Gentry (knee) practiced in full, while cornerback Levi Wallace was limited. Johnson had been limited on Wednesday. The other three all missed Wednesday’s practice.

Fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth was limited for the second straight day and remains in the NFL concussion protocol. Safety Terrell Edmunds practiced in full for the second straight day and appears on track to suit up at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday against Tampa.

The Steelers remain without the services of five regulars, who now will likely need to practice on Friday in order to play in Sunday’s game. Cornerback Cam Sutton (hamstring), cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring), free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (back) and center Mason Cole (foot) all did not practice on Thursday.

Cole played through his injury in the Steelers’ Week 5 loss to Buffalo and told Steelers Now that he is good to go.

Witherspoon was injured in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns and has missed each of the last two weeks. Sutton was injured in practice before the Bills game, tried to play and was unable to finish.

The Steelers appear poised to start Josh Jackson and James Pierre at outside cornerback, pending Wallace’s status. Tre Norwood will again start at safety if Fitzpatrick is unable to suit up.

At defensive tackle, Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley will fill for Ogunjobi and/or Adams, if either of them are unable to play.

The Buccaneers had wide receiver Jaelon Darden (tooth) and outside linebacker Carl Nassib (illness) return to full action. Wide receiver Russell Gage (ankle) was limited on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice. 

Five Bucs did not participate due to injury: wide receiver Chris Godwin (hip/knee), defensive tackle Akeem Hicks (foot), wide receiver Julio Jones (knee), cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad) and safety Logan Ryan (foot) were all held out.