Steelers Get Massive Boost with Positive Injury Report

Nick Farabaugh |

Dec 20, 2023

Steelers RB Najee Harris against the Cleveland Browns, Sept. 19, 2023 - Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers injury news on Wednesday came with improved information, as multiple players were upgraded to full participation. But the safety position, in particular, looks like a barren wasteland. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and Trenton Thompson (neck) did not practice for the second straight day. Fitzpatrick is out this week, but Patrick Peterosn believes Thompson will play.

In addition, the team will get some help from Elijah Riley, who is back from a high ankle sprain. Riley is a versatile defensive back who could play, and he logged a full practice on Wednesday. Safety Keanu Neal (rib) remains out for the foreseeable future.

Defensive lineman Cam Heyward, in the concussion protocol, took the next steps to return from the injury. Heyward practiced in a full capacity, meaning that he is in a good spot to return despite being in the protocol.

Other players who returned to practice were Najee Harris (knee) and Isaac Seumalo (shoulder). Those guys seem like players who will not practice or be limited for most of the week but will play as they have the last two weeks. Harris was full and Seuamlo was limited.

Kenny Pickett continued to practice on Wednesday in a limited fashion. The quality of his participation will determine if he ends up playing. Mike Tomlin said Thursday in the big day for him. Meanwhile, Broderick Jones (ankle) and Pat Freiermuth (knee) both practiced in a full capacity on Wednesday.

STEELERS INJURY REPORT

Player	Injury	Date	Prognosis	Roster Status
TE Pat Freiermuth	Knee	Dec. 19	Unknown	Active, FP on Wed.
LG Isaac Seumalo	Shoulder	Dec. 19	Day to day	Active, LP on Wed.
OT Broderick Jones	Ankle	Dec. 19	Unknown	Active, FP on Wed.
RB Najee Harris	Knee	Dec. 19	Day to day	Active, FP on Wed.
DT Cam Heyward	Concussion	Dec. 16	Day to day	Active, FP on Wed
SS Trenton Thompson	Neck	Dec. 16	Day to day	Active, DNP on Wed.
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick	Left knee	Dec. 16	Week to week	Active, OUT vs CIN
QB Kenny Pickett	R high ankle sprain surgery	Dec. 3	1-2 Weeks	Active, LP on Wed.
DB Elijah Riley	High ankle sprain	Nov. 19	Day to day	IR (Wk. 16), FP on Wed.
SS Keanu Neal	Rib	Nov. 12	Week to week	IR (Wk. 15), OUT vs CIN
ILB Kwon Alexander	Achilles	Nov. 12	Out for season	Injured reserve
ILB Cole Holcomb	Left knee surgery	Nov. 2	Out for season	Injured reserve
LB Chapelle Russell II	Knee	Aug. 11	Out for season	Injured reserve
CB Cory Trice	Right ACL tear	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