Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers Injury Updates: Chris Boswell, Marcus Allen, Ola Adeniyi Downgraded to Out vs. Colts
Steelers inside linebacker Marcus Allen, kicker Chris Boswell and outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi will all miss Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts after originally being listed as questionable, the team announced on Saturday.
Allen suffered a stinger against Cincinnati in Week 15 and did not practice at all this week. Vince Williams, who was removed from the COVID-19 reserve list, is expected to start alongside Avery Williamson. Tegray Scales, who was promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, will be the lone healthy backup at inside linebacker.
Boswell injured his groin during practice and will miss his second game this season. He was limited in practice on Thursday and did not practice on Friday. Once again, he’ll be replaced by practice squad kicker Matthew Wright, who was 1 for 1 with two extra points against Washington on Dec. 8.
Adeniyi suffered a shoulder injury in the loss to the Bengals and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before being limited on Friday. Special teamer Jayrone Elliott and recently acquired former Indianapolis defensive end/outside linebacker Cassius Marsh will serve as the Steelers’ backups at outside linebacker on Sunday.
The team has one other player, running back Anthony McFarland Jr., who remains questionable to play on Sunday after missing practice on Friday with an illness. With James Conner expected to return to the starting lineup along with backups Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell Jr., McFarland may not dress whether healthy or not.
PITTSBURGH — Steelers rookie linebacker Alex Highsmith suffered an ankle injury that will require an MRI in Sunday’s playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Highsmith left the game in the first half and was seen limping on the Pittsburgh sideline. He made an attempt to return to the game, but was unable to continue playing and did not see the field at all in the second half.
In-game, the Steelers announced that Highsmith was doubtful to return with an ankle injury. After the fact, head coach Mike Tomlin said that Highsmith suffered a high ankle sprain. Highsmith’s father posted on Twitter early on Monday morning that Highsmith will require an MRI on his injured ankle.
Not the way we wanted the season to end but I am thankful to have been a part of this amazing ride! The Highsmith Family is proud to wear the Black & Gold and we look forward to more success in the future! Please pray for Alex as he gets an MRI tomorrow on his ankle! #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/JJA4PpZpvx
— Sam Highsmith (@SHighsmithClan) January 11, 2021
Given that Highsmith was able to walk and even run in short bursts after the injury, it does not seem likely that it will impact his offseason training plans.
The team’s third-round draft pick out of Charlotte, Highsmith was thrust into a starting role after starting outside linebacker Bud Dupree suffered an ACL injury that required surgery.
On the season, Highsmith played in 16 regular season game and made five starts. He finished with 48 tackles, five for a loss, six quarterback hits, one interception and one pass defended.
With Dupree set to become an unrestricted free agent and unlikely to return, Highsmith should be expected to retain his starting role in 2021.
PITTSBURGH — Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith has left the team’s Wild Card Round playoff game against the Cleveland Browns with an ankle injury and is doubtful to return, the team announced.
Highsmith suffered the injury in the first half and attempted to return to play, but was unable to continue.
He was replaced on the field by a combination of third-year backup Ola Adeniyi and Cassius Marsh, who was signed from the Indianapolis practice squad in December.
Highsmith had been replacing starter Bud Dupree, who was lost for the season to an ACL injury.
In the regular season, Highsmith appeared in all 16 games and made five starts. He had two sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception and one pass defended.
The rookie out of Charlotte was the Steelers’ third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers Injury Updates: JuJu Smith-Schuster Practiced Fully Friday, Chris Boswell Limited
The Pittsburgh Steelers are relatively healthy entering their opening round playoff matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, as only kicker Chris Boswell was listed on the team’s injury report as being less than a full participant in practice on Friday.
Boswell was limited on Friday as he continues to recover from the groin injury that has forced him to miss the last two games. He was also limited on Wednesday, but was a full participant during Thursday’s session.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) returned to the practice field Friday after sitting out on Thursday. He had practiced fully on Wednesday as well, but was newly added yesterday.
Defensive end Isaiah Buggs (illness) was also added to the injury report Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday.
Safety Terrell Edmunds (shoulder), cornerback Steven Nelson (knee), nose tackle Tyson Alualu (ankle) and linebacker Vince Williams (quad) were all full participants during Friday’s practice session as well, positioning the Steelers to be healthy heading into Sunday’s playoff game against the Browns.
