PITTSBURGH — Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey told reporters on Friday that he’s ready to go for Sunday’s home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Pouncey said he was a full participant in Friday’s practice after suffering an ankle injury during Pittsburgh’s 33-3 season-opening loss at New England last Sunday. Pouncey did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Cornerback Joe Haden, who also was a full participant in practice on Friday after not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, admitted that he’s less than 100 percent with a right shoulder injury, but Haden still hopes to play on Sunday.
“It’s feeling better,” Haden said. “Hopefully, it continues to get better in the next couple of days and hopefully, I can go. It’s feeling pretty good. It’s getting better. It’s still a little bit of pain, but it is what it is.”
Haden said the biggest issue he’ll face when it comes to the level of pain with his shoulder will be tackling, something that could be an issue when facing Seattle’s run-heavy offense.
Safety Sean Davis, who missed the New England game with an ankle injury, also said he expects to play after being a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who left the New England game with a toe injury, also expects to play and said he’s gotten plenty of cuts in on his toe while chasing his dog, Boujee around his place.
Fullback Roosevelt Nix is expected to miss the game with a knee injury. The Steelers will release their full injury report later on Friday.