Steelers Get Two Players Back from Injury on Tuesday

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers got two players back from injury during Tuesday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, as running back Jonathan Ward and linebacker Payton Wilson both were photographed while participating in the team’s first preseason practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.

Wilson left his team’s second preseason game of the 2024 season on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills while being evaluated for a concussion. His presence on the practice field just three days later seems to be a strong sign for his potential availability for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Ward at practice on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now

Ward has been out since Aug. 14 with a right hamstring injury. He was injured in a training camp practice at St. Vincent College last Wednesday after rushing six times for 26 times and adding one catch for five yards in the preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9.

The Steelers will be glad to get Ward back after they lost running back Jaylen Warren to a hamstring injury against the Bills. Warren is expected to miss two to four weeks, putting his status for the season opener in doubt.

Ward has been competing with La’Mical Perine, Aaron Shampklin and Daijun Edwards to be the team’s fourth running back on the depth chart behind Najee Harris, Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. With Warren injured, and Patterson mostly used on specialty plays and on special teams, the winner of that battle could earn significant playing time in the near future.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT