Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers ‘Optimistic’ for Davis, Haden, Pouncey, Smith-Schuster, Watt vs. Seahawks
PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin said that he is “optimistic” that several of the team’s players that suffered injuries in their season-opening loss to the New England Patriots will be able to suit up this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Tomlin listed cornerback Joe Haden (shoulder), center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (toe) and outside linebacker T.J. Watt (hip) as players with injuries after the game.
“They may be limited at some portions of the week, early portions of the week, but we’re all optimistic about their availability,” Tomlin said. “The week will tell their story as we work.”
Tomlin also included safety Sean Davis (ankle) as a player that could play this week. He was the Steelers’ lone injury absence during Week 1. Kameron Kelly started at free safety in place of Davis.
Smith-Schuster had x-rays on his toe that were reportedly negative for a fracture and may have a sprain. Haden reportedly sprained the AC joint in his shoulder. He was able to return to the game against New England.
Smith-Schuster and Pouncey were injured late in the game. Haden was replaced at corner by Artie Burns. Anthony Chickillo replaced Watt at left outside linebacker.
Pittsburgh Steelers guards David DeCastro (knee) and Stefen Wisniewski (pectoral muscle) both did not practice Friday and are listed as out for Sunday’s home opener against the Denver Broncos.
DeCastro has been hobbled for several weeks since injuring his knee in training camp and missed last week’s game against the New York Giants, while Wisniewski started Monday night, but left in the fourth quarter. Wisniewski was placed on the reserve/injured list Friday afternoon.
With both sidelined, rookie guard Kevin Dotson looks slated to make his first career start on Sunday.
James Conner (ankle) was a full participant in practice again Friday after leaving the season opener in the second quarter. By getting a feel for his health and receiving treatment, Conner believes he is “definitely trending in the right direction.”
With injuries forcing him to miss six games in 2019, Conner expressed frustration when speaking with the media Friday.
“(The injury) was frustrating, I wanted to be out there. We won the game, that is the most important thing,” he said. “I am not naïve. I know stuff happens. I am trying to do everything I can to stay healthy. I am going to stay in my lane and leave it in God’s hands and everything is going to be all right.”
Wide receivers Diontae Johnson (toe) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (foot), left tackle Alejandro Villanueva (illness) and defensive end Stephon Tuitt (Achilles) were also all full participants in practice on Friday. All had missed practice Wednesday with minor ailments, but have now participated two-straight days and are ready for Sunday.
Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers Injury Updates: DeCastro, Wisniewski Still Out; Rest of Team Back in Action
The Steelers got a good bit more healthy on Thursday, as eight of the 10 players that missed Wednesday’s practice returned to work for the team’s second session in preparation for hosting the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Guards David DeCastro (knee) and Stefen Wisniewski (pectoral muscle) were the lone holdouts. DeCastro has missed several weeks since injuring his knee in a training camp scrimmage. Wisniewski started the Steelers’ season opener against the New York Giants on Monday night in his place, but left the game in the fourth quarter, giving way to rookie Kevin Dotson, who appears to be in line to start in Week 2.
James Conner also left that game with an ankle injury, but was a full participant in practice on Thursday. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he would “leave the light on” for both Conner and Wisniewski to return to action. Conner’s participation on Thursday portends a positive trend, though Benny Snell was productive while replacing him on Monday and could demand a greater workload going forward.
Wide receivers Diontae Johnson (toe) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and defensive end Stephon Tuitt (Achilles) all finished the game but did not practice on Wednesday with apparently minor ailments and returned to action on Thursday.
Also back at work were left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who missed Wednesday with an illness, and center Maurkice Pouncey and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who were given Wednesday off.
Steelers Injury Updates
10 Steelers Did Not Practice Wednesday, Including Conner, DeCastro, Johnson, Smith-Schuster
Ten Steelers did not practice during Wednesday’s first session of the week as the team begins preparation for the Denver Broncos, which come to Heinz Field on Sunday.
According to the team’s injury report, center Maurkice Pouncey, defensive end Stephon Tuitt, guards David DeCastro and Stefen Wisniewski, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back James Conner, tackles Zach Banner and Alejandro Villanueva and wide receivers Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
Smith-Schuster (knee), Johnson (toe) and Tuitt (Achilles) are suffering from newly revealed injuries. Their status for this Sunday’s game remains unclear.
Banner (right ACL), Conner (ankle) and Wisniewski (pectoral muscle) were injured in Monday night’s win over the New York Giants. Banner is expected to undergo surgery on Friday and miss the rest of the season. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that he would “leave the light on” for Conner and Wisniewski to be able to play this week.
DeCastro (knee) has been out since the second week of training camp, but Tomlin said on Tuesday that he was hopeful he would be able to practice this week.
Villanueva has an illness. Roethlisberger and Pouncey were listed as coach’s decisions. Roethlisberger has typically taken Wednesday practices off for the last few seasons.
During the Giants game, Benny Snell replaced Conner at running back, Chukwuma Okorafor replaced Banner at right tackle and Kevin Dotson replaced Wisniewski and DeCastro at right guard.