Steelers Injury Updates: DeCastro, Pouncey Full Participants; Hilton, Watt Still Out

Steelers linemen David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey returned to full participation in the team’s practice on Thursday, which should put them in line to be able to play when the team visits the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

DeCastro, who suffered an abdominal strain in the Steelers’ Week 5 win over the Philadelphia Eagles and missed the team’s Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns, had been a limited participant on Wednesday. 

Pouncey suffered a foot injury against the Eagles and was able to play most of the game against Cleveland before leaving late. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Nickel cornerback Mike Hilton (shoulder) and fullback Derek Watt (hamstring strain) both did not practice for the second straight day, putting their availability for Sunday in doubt. 

Hilton was replaced by Cameron Sutton when he was injured against the Browns. Watt suffered his hamstring strain in Week 3 against the Houston Texans and was replaced by Trey Edmunds, who was recalled from the practice squad to play against the Eagles. Watt returned against Cleveland, but re-aggravated his injury.

The Steelers also got JuJu Smith-Schuster back to practice on Thursday. He’s missed several Wednesday practices in a row with a lingering knee injury, but has not missed any playing time because of it.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was limited in practice due to personal reasons. He did not practice on Wednesday with a “not injury related” designation, as is his usual protocol. It does not appear that Roethlisberger’s status for Sunday is in significant doubt, though a full practice on Friday would allay any fears that he may not play.

Defensive end Stephon Tuitt, who was also given Wednesday off, returned to work Thursday.