Steelers Get Back Veteran Tight End for Browns Game

Pittsburgh Steelers TE MyCole Pruitt
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 15, 2024. -- Alan Saunders / Steelers Now

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran tight end MyCole Pruitt (right knee) does not have an injury designation for Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns, which means he’ll be good to go. Steelers nose tackle Keeanu Benton (knee) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (shin contusion) also don’t have an injury designation and will be active.

Pruitt missed the Steelers’ Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens with a reoccurrence of a right knee injury that caused him to miss time earlier this season. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Monday that Pruitt would have a chance to return to action this week, but when the team released an estimated injury report, Pruitt was listed as “did not practice” on Monday.

But Tuesday with the team actually out on the rainy practice fields at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Pruitt was a full participant. Pruitt once again was a full participant at the Steelers final practice on Wednesday before they leave for Cleveland.

Pruitt first suffered the injury earlier in the season, leaving the team’s Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos on Sept. 15. Despite the right knee injury, Pruitt avoided a trip to the injured reserve list, and made his return to action against the New York Jets on Oct. 20. He played in the next three games, including 34 snaps against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but missed practice all of last week.

Despite being a full participant in practice this week, Steelers second-year cornerback Cory Trice’s return will have wait, as the team ruled him out for Thursday night’s game against the Browns. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (left ankle) will also also miss his second straight game. Highsmith told Steelers Now that he’s targeting a Week 13 return, when the Steelers are set to visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1.

The Browns ruled out offensive Jedrick Wills (knee) and tight end Geoff Swaim (concussion) for Thursday night’s game. Germain Ifedi will likely start at left tackle against Pittsburgh.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT

Player Injury Date  Prognosis Mon Tue Wed Game
DT Keeanu Benton Left knee Nov. 17 Day to day FP IN
CB Joey Porter Jr. Shin Nov. 17 Day to day FP IN
TE MyCole Pruitt Knee Nov. 13 TBD DNP IN
OLB Alex Highsmith Left ankle Nov. 10 Week to week DNP OUT
CB Cory Trice Jr. Hamstring Sept. 22 Week to week FP OUT

STEELERS INJURED RESERVE

Player Injury Date  Prognosis Roster Status
CB C.J. Henderson Neck Nov. 14 Three weeks Injured reserve
DT Montravius Adams Left knee Oct. 18 One weeks Injured reserve
CB Anthony Averett TBD Oct. 17 TBD Practice squad IR
WR Roman Wilson Hamstring Oct. 17 One weeks Injured reserve
DE DeMarvin Leal Neck/stinger Oct. 6 Out for season Injured reserve
RG James Daniels Achilles Sept. 29 Out for season Injured reserve
RT Troy Fautanu R knee dislocation Sept. 20 Regular season Injured reserve
P Cameron Johnston Right knee Sept. 8 Out for season Injured reserve
SS Ryan Watts Neck/stinger Aug. 24 Out for season Injured reserve
DL Logan Lee Calf Aug. 20 Week to week Injured reserve
C Nate Herbig Torn rotator cuff Aug. 14 Out for season Injured reserve
OLB David Perales Left MCL tear July 31 Out for season Injured reserve 
ILB Cole Holcomb Left knee surgery Nov. 2, 2023 Week to week PUP/reserve

Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.

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