Steelers Injury News: Three Key Defensive Starters Miss Practice

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers injury list is lengthy to head into the week as Pittsburgh prepares for this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Three players missed practice with injuries, while others returned

Pittsburgh opened up the 21-day window for Pat Freiermuth, and he is working his way back. On his first day in the window, he was limited by a hamstring injury, but the team upgraded him to full practice on Thursday. Freiemruth says that he has been cutting and accelerating.

Montravius Adams missed last week’s 23-19 win over the Green Bay Packers with an ankle injury suffered against the Tennesse Titans in Week 9. He did not practice again on Thursday. Keeanu Benton would be in line to start if he can not play.

Defensive tackle Cam Heyward is still ailing from his groin injury. Last week, he said he was dealing with swelling following core muscle surgery. He may be limited again, but he should play against Cleveland. Heyward was limited on Thursday.

Minkah Fitzpatrick has been dealing with a hamstring injury since the Steelers’ Week 9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tomlin also said there was a chance that Fitzpatrick would practice last week, but he did not. He did not practice on Thursday.

“Minkah is batting to come back to us,” Tomlin said. “How much they’re available during the course of the week is a determining factor, and obviously, the quality of that work.”

Keanu Neal was hurt when he was tackled on top of the football after his fourth-quarter interception. He was replaced late in the game by Trenton Thompson, who was called up from the practice squad for the game. Neal did not practice on Thursday.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson returned to practice after missing Wednesday with a thumb injury. He suffered the injury in the game against the Packers but returned.

Steelers Injury Report