Three Steelers Starters Miss Practice on Thursday

PITTSBURGH — Three Pittsburgh Steelers starters missed their second consecutive practice of the week due to injury on Thursday, putting their status for Sunday’s Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles in serious doubt.

Wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) and strong safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday after also missing practice on Wednesday.

Pickens has already been listed as doubtful by head coach Mike Tomlin, and the team has been preparing to play without him since the start of the week. He first suffered the injury on last Thursday and was initially listed as questionable for last Sunday’s Steelers game against the Cleveland Browns. But Pickens couldn’t get through a pregame workout and was a late scratch. An MRI revealed more substantial damage than initially thought.

Van Jefferson got back into the starting lineup to replace Pickens against the Browns after being replaced by Mike Williams the week before, and Scotty Miller got a helmet for the first time in three weeks, rewarding the Steelers’ faith with three catches for 38 yards.

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Ogunjobi suffered his groin injury in the game against the Browns. He came back in for one play, but was not able to continue. Ogunjobi has played after not practicing early in the week before, so his status for Friday should be closely monitored. Montravius Adams appears ready to come off the injured reserve list to replace him, if necessary. Adams was a full participant for the second straight practice.

Strong safety DeShon Elliott was also out for the second straight day. He finished the game with the Browns after suffering the hamstring injury mid-game, but has not practice since. Furthermore, the Steelers had Cam Sutton working with the safeties on Thursday. Sutton would likely be the fourth safety if Elliott can’t dress, with Eric Rowe a potential call-up from the practice squad.