Zach Banner is official out for the Steelers’ Week 2 game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but head coach Mike Tomlin said that the team’s other three injured players will have a chance to work their way back into game form.
Starting right guard David DeCastro, who missed the game with a knee injury but traveled with the team and was not wearing any kind of cast or brace on the sideline, could practice on Wednesday, Tomlin said.
Tomlin also “left the light on” for starting running back James Conner (ankle) and backup guard Stefen Wisniewski (pectoral muscle), both of whom left Monday’s game with injuries and did not return.
Banner, who reportedly tore his ACL on Monday night, will be replaced by Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle. Tomlin remained steadfast in his praise for Okorafor, whose training camp battle with Banner for the starting spot went down to the final days.
If both DeCastro and Wisniewski cannot play, the starting job at right guard would likely fall to rookie Kevin Dotson, who played in that role on Monday. Tomlin said Dotson is more of a question mark when it comes to his level of readiness.
Benny Snell, who replaced Conner at running back at rushed for over 100 yards, would likely move to the top of the rotation at that position that could also include Jaylen Samuels and rookie Anthony McFarland, Jr.