Steelers offensive linemen Dan Moore Jr. and Trai Turner did not practice for the second consecutive day, bringing their participation in Sunday’s regular-season finale at Baltimore into jeopardy.
Moore has been out since suffering an ankle injury against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Turner has been battling a knee injury in recent weeks that forced him from the Browns game.
Joe Haeg, who filled in for Turner at guard on Monday, would like be the starter at left tackle if Moore can’t play. Practice squad guard Rashaad Coward seems the most likely option to start at right guard if Kevin Dotson is unable to return from the injured reserve list this week. Center/guard B.J. Finney remains on injured reserve.
Center Kendrick Green missed practice on Wednesday and then was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Thursday, meaning that J.C. Hassenauer will almost certainly start at center.
Elsewhere, inside linebacker Buddy Johnson did not practice for the fifth straight session and seems on track to miss his third consecutive game. The team got starters Devin Bush and Joe Schobert back from the COVID-19 list Wednesday. Marcus Allen, Ulysees Gilbert III and Robert Spillane should provide depth and Johnson seems unlikely to dress even if he returns from injury. He could be a candidate to land on injured reserve if the team ends up needing to clear roster space before Sunday’s game.
Slot cornerback Arthur Maulet, who also returned from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday, did not practice on Thursday with an undisclosed illness. The Steelers are also without starting cornerback Joe Haden, who is on the COVID-19 list. Cam Sutton and Ahkello Witherspoon are in line to start, with Tre Norwood and James Pierre likely serving as Nickel and Dime defenders.
Strong safety Terrell Edmunds returned to practice in a full capacity after being limited on Wednesday with a groin injury suffered against the Browns.