Steelers Still Without Haden, Nix, Pouncey; Others Full Participants

Three Steelers were still absent from practice on Thursday, bringing into question their availability for the home opener against Seattle this Sunday.

Cornerback Joe Haden (shoulder), center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) and fullback Roosevelt Nix (knee) all did not practice for the second straight day on Wednesday.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he does not expect Nix to play this Sunday. The team remains hopeful for Haden and Pouncey.

“Not sure what is going on with [Haden],” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said Thursday. “He tells me he is going to be ready to play. I always ask them how they feel on all this stuff. The game is a rough day. We are hoping and thinking that we will have everyone available.”

Elsewhere, the Steelers got healthier on Thursday. Tackle Zach Banner (illness), running back James Conner (illness), free safety Sean Davis (ankle), safety Terrell Edmunds (glute), wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (toe) and outside linebacker T.J. Watt (hip) were all full participants after being limited on Tuesday.

Inside linebacker Mark Barron and guard Ramon Roster did not partake in practice, but their absence was not injury related.