Steelers Injury Updates: Chukwuma Okorafor Out vs. Packers, Joe Haeg in Line to Start at Tackle

Right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor remains in the NFL concussion protocol and will not play in the Steelers’ Week 4 game against the Green Bay Packers, the team announced on Friday.

Okorafor suffered a concussion in the Steelers’ Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and did not practice all week while in the concussion protocol.

It appears likely that veteran Joe Haeg, who replaced Okorafor against the Bengals, will make his first start with the Steelers at right tackle.

Haeg, 28, is in his sixth NFL season, having previously spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has played 1,366 career snaps at right tackle according to Pro Football Focus, the most of any of the five positions he has played. 

The Steelers could potentially also get starting right tackle Zach Banner back for the Packers game. Banner, who has been on injured reserve since before the start of the season while recovering from a knee injury, returned to practice this week. The Steelers have not announced a timeframe for Banner’s return to the lineup. They have three weeks of practices before they must activate him.

Also out for the Steelers is backup guard Rashaad Coward, who suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday or Friday. B.J. Finney remains the top backup at guard. Haeg and backup center J.C. Hassenauer can also play guard.