Steelers Injury Updates: Herbig Goes Down, Kazee Pratices Fully

Steelers safety Damontae Kazee
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee works with coach Grady Brown at training camp, Aug. 8, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered one new injury at practice on Sunday, but several players saw increased participation levels in practice in the team’s first work after the preseason opener in Tampa on Friday.

Guard Nate Herbig suffered a shoulder injury and was being evaluated after practice, head coach Mike Tomlin said. Spencer Anderson moved from third-string right tackle to second-team right guard in place of Herbig.

That was the only new injury mentioned by Tomlin after the game. Outside linebacker Toby Ndukwe also appeared to suffer a wrist or hand injury late in practice and did not return.

The Steelers got one player back to full participation after an injury and another had his participation level increase, both in the defensive secondary.

Damontae Kazee was a full participant in practice for the first time since suffering an ankle injury on July 29. He was the starting strong safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. Keanu Neal practiced in some team periods, but continues to be limited. Tre Norwood (calf) did not practice.

At cornerback, Joey Porter Jr. was back from the ankle injury that caused him to miss the preseason opener, but is still only working in individual periods. James Pierre was the first cornerback off the bench behind Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace.

Duke Dawson, who suffered a knee injury on Friday, did not practice, but was seen walking without an obvious brace, and it’s possible he avoided an injury as serious as his initially looked.

Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi remains out after missing Friday’s game and was seen in a walking boot. Tomlin categorized his injury as minor on Friday.

Linebackers Nick Kwiatkoski and Chapelle Russell II and nose tackle Keeanu Benton were the other two players injured on Friday. Russell was placed on injury waivers before practice on Sunday. Kwiatkoski (shoulder) and Benton (ankle) did not practice. Tomlin classified Benton as day to day.

The Steelers are off Monday before returning to Chuck Noll Field at St. Vincent College for practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in advance of Saturday’s second preseason game at Acrisure Stadium against the Buffalo Bills.

STEELERS INJURY REPORT

Player Injury Date  Prognosis Roster Status
G Nate Herbig Shoulder Aug. 13 Undisclosed Active, LP Aug. 13
OLB Toby Ndukwe Hand/wrist Aug. 13 Undisclosed Active, LP Aug. 13
ILB Nick Kwiatkoski Right shoulder Aug. 11 Undisclosed Active, DNP Aug. 13
NT Keeanu Benton Left ankle Aug. 11 Day to day Active, DNP Aug. 13
CB Duke Dawson Left knee Aug. 11 Undisclosed Active, DNP Aug. 13
DT Larry Ogunjobi Right foot/ankle Aug. 9 Undisclosed Active, DNP Aug. 13
DB Tre Norwood Right calf Aug. 6 Day to day Active, DNP Aug. 13
CB Joey Porter Jr. Left ankle Aug. 5 Day to day Active, LP Aug. 13
RB John Lovett Undisclosed Aug. 2 Day to day Active, LP Aug. 13
S Keanu Neal Undisclosed Aug. 2 Day to day Active, LP Aug. 13
S Damontae Kazee Left ankle July 29 Day to day Active, FP Aug. 13
LB Chapelle Russell II Knee Aug. 11 Undisclosed Waived/injured
WR Ja’Marcus Bradley Hamstring Aug. 4 Day to day Injured reserve
CB Cory Trice Right knee Aug. 1 Out for season Injured reserve
RB Alfonzo Graham Torn right labrum July 29 Out for season Injured reserve
DT Renell Wren Torn right Achilles tendon May 17 Out for season Injured reserve
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