The Pittsburgh Steelers had full participation at practice on Friday and appear to be mostly healthy heading to their Week 2 home opener against the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium this Sunday.
Starting running back Najee Harris was a full participant in practice for the second straight day after being limited on Wednesday. Harris suffered a left foot injury in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Harris said Wednesday that he expected to play.
Center Mason Cole practiced fully on Friday after being limited on Wednesday. He injured his ankle in Cincinnati.
Cornerback Levi Wallace also suffered an ankle injury in the Steelers’ season-opening overtime win. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. Inside linebacker Rob Spillane, who injured his eye against the Bengals, practiced fully all week.
Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, safety Damontae Kazee and wide receiver Calvin Austin III all remain on the injured reserve list. Watt will miss his first game, Kazee and Austin will miss their second.
The Patriots are are also largely healthy entering Sunday’s contest. Quarterback Mac Jones had back spasms after taking a big hit in New England’s season opener and also missed practice on Thursday with an illness, but practiced fully on Friday and is not listed on the injury report.
Staring middle linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley is also expected to play after missing Wednesday’s practice with a toe injury.
Six Patriots players do have an injury designation for the game, all questionable. Safety Joshuah Bledsoe has groin injury, tackle Trent Brown has an ankle injury, linebacker Raekwon McMillan has a thumb injury, safety Adrian Phillips has a ribs injury, running back Pierre Strong Jr. has a shoulder issue and cornerback Shaun Wade has an ankle. All six of those players were limited in practice on Friday. None are projected starters.
Running back/kick returner David Montgomery was placed on the injured reserve list this week with a knee injury.