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Steelers Injury Updates

Steelers Injury Updates: Alualu, Johnson Return; Dotson Out Saturday

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Steelers Kevin Dotson

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Defensive lineman Tyson Alualu participated in his first team workout of training camp and Diontae Johnson returned to practice after missing some time as the Pittsburgh Steelers got slightly more healthy on Thursday before their preseason opener on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Alualu, who started training camp on the physically unable to perform list with a knee issue, had been working in individual periods all week, but took his first team reps as the nose tackle on the first-team defensive line between Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley. Larry Ogunjobi had the day off from team reps as the team continues to manage his workload after offseason foot surgery.

Johnson has missed a few practice sessions this week with a hip flexor injury and also had worked in individual periods. He returned to team play on Thursday, joining George Pickens and Anthony Miller as the first-team receivers. Chase Claypool missed his second straight practice. He had returned from a shoulder issue on Tuesday, but then has been held out of back-to-back sessions since.

Tight end Zach Gentry and running back Mateo Durant, who both missed two practices with undisclosed ailments this week, were dressed but not full participants.

Dotson, who has missed time this week with a right ankle injury, told 93.7 The Fan that he will not play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

The team still has a number of regulars that are out with injuries, including running backs Najee Harris (foot) and Benny Snell Jr. (right knee), outside linebackers Alex Highsmith (ribs) and Genard Avery (groin), defensive tackle Montravius Adams (ankle) and inside linebacker Marcus Allen (ankle).

Anthony McFarland Jr. worked as the starting running back, Kendrick Green at left guard and Derrek Tuszka at right outside linebacker.

Head coach Mike Tomlin did not give an injury update after the team’s practice. He said earlier in the day that he had not ruled any player out for Saturday’s game.