Steelers Injury Update: Devin Bush to Practice Tuesday

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush is expected to practice when the team gets back to work on Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, but his status for Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Browns remains in question.

Bush suffered a foot injury in the Steelers’ 17-14 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. He played most of the game before the injury, seeing 31 snaps before leaving the game for good in the fourth quarter.

Bush practicing on Tuesday in full would go a long way toward him being able to play on Thursday night in Cleveland. But if he is not a full participant, it’s tough to see him suiting up as the Steelers will have just one real practice session before traveling to Cleveland.

The Steelers will need Bush in the game. Roughed up for his below-the-line performance in 2021, especially against the run, Bush has seemingly been rejuvenated by new Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores and improved defensive line play in front of him.

The Steelers mostly contained the New England rushing attack until the final drive of the game on Sunday, when Bush was on the sideline getting treatment. The Patriots ran the final 6:33 off the clock without giving the Steelers the ball back.

The Browns used Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to rush for 184 yards in Week 2 against the New York Jets. Without quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is still serving his suspension, the Browns will be a run-heavy team all year.

Myles Jack will start and man the opposite inside linebacker spot, with Robert Spillane likely filling in for Bush if he’s unable to play. Rookie linebacker Mark Robison, who has been a healthy scratch for the first two games, would likely suit up if Bush can’t go, with Marcus Allen continuing to possess a special teams-only role unless needed.

Bush is the only Steelers player that was injured in Sunday’s game.