Teresa Varley
Saturday Update: Guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) was downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Browns. Jalen Ramsey (illness) has been upgraded and has no injury designation.
Friday Report: The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, a key AFC North game as the Steelers are in a battle for the division title.
Linebacker T.J. Watt, who returned to practice this week in a limited capacity, has been ruled out for the third straight week due the issue he had with his lung.
Also ruled out this week are receiver Calvin Austin III and cornerbacks Brandin Echols and James Pierre. Safety Jalen Ramsey is questionable after missing practice the last two days with an illness.
With Austin out with a hamstring injury and DK Metcalf suspended for two games, it's going to be all hands on deck this week at the position.
And everyone is ready to carry the load.
"I think it's a really good opportunity for guys to step up," said receiver Ben Skowronek. "Obviously, missing him will be big, but it's going to be an opportunity for us to step up and still have to win the game.
"So, whatever, however that happens, whoever steps up, we've just got to do it, we've got to win."
Receiver Scotty Miller was called into action against the Lions when Austin was injured. After dealing with an injury this year and just battling to get playing time, getting back in action meant everything to him.
"It had been a while since I had done much out there," said Miller. "So, it definitely felt good to make some plays."
Miller appreciated quarterback Aaron Rodgers' confidence in him, and said working with the future Hall of Famer has been amazing.
"Aaron's awesome," said Miller. "It's been a blessing to work with him. He's obviously one of the greatest to ever do it. So just trying to learn as much as I can from him. I think we all are.
"Just trying to be on the same page as him. We had a lot of great work in training camp. Calvin (Austin) was down for a week or two. So, I got to play that role for a bit, like I did (Sunday). We do it every week in practice, just getting a lot of reps with one another.
"It was nice to see him come to me in those moments and have the trust in me."
Receiver Roman Wilson, who was a healthy inactive the last three weeks, would also welcome the opportunity to see action this week.
"I've been working hard, so it's nice that we came around like this," said Wilson. "It's cool. I'll be ready."
Wilson said the last few weeks were a good opportunity for him to reflect.
"It was a great time for me to go back and reflect on the season and learn where I can grow," said Wilson. "Learn where I can get better. How can I improve myself and things like that.
"So, it was in a weird way a real blessing."
The Steelers signed receiver Brandon Johnson to their practice squad on Wednesday, and he too said he would be ready to go if he gets a call up. Johnson was on the practice squad in 2024 as well, and is familiar with the offense.
"It helps a lot because it's always difficult to try to learn a whole new system from scratch," said Johnson. "So, it definitely does feel good knowing that I've been in the system for over a year now, and coming back to it, all of it looks very familiar to me. So, it's not very hard to pick up.
"I'm always ready. I'm ready whenever. So, that'll never be an issue. I'll always be ready.
"I would love it. That's why we practice, that's why we play, especially guys on practice squad. Every week we put in work to hopefully get that opportunity.
"So, if it comes, that would be amazing, but I'm always ready."
The full injury and status report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Hamstring) - Out
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Groin) - Out
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Calf) - Out
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Triceps) - QUT - updated
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Lung) - Out
Friday, December 26
No. 5 Jalen Ramsey (Illness) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - Full
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hand) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Groin) - DNP
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Hip) - Full
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Calf) - DNP
No. 46 LS Christian Kuntz (Knee) - Full
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Triceps) - Limited
No. 76 OL Troy Fautanu (NIR - Personal) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Lung) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - DNP
Thursday, December 25
No. 5 Jalen Ramsey (Illness) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - Full
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hand) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Groin) - DNP
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Hip) - Full
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Calf) - Limited
No. 46 LS Christian Kuntz (Knee) - Full
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Triceps) - Limited
No. 76 OL Troy Fautanu (NIR - Personal) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Lung) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - Limited
Wednesday, December 24
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - Full
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hand) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 CB Brandin Echols (Groin) - DNP
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Hip) - Limited
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Calf) - Limited
No. 46 LS Christian Kuntz (Knee) - Full
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Triceps) - Limited
No. 76 OL Troy Fautanu (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Lung) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - DNP
Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
No. 44 TE Harold Fannin (Groin) - Questionable
No. 88 QB Dillion Gabriel (Left Shoulder) - Questionable
No. 26 Myles Harden (Shoulder) - Questionable
No. 92 DT Sam Kamara (Elbow) - Questionable
No. 85 TE David Njoku (Knee) - Out
No. 59 LB Winston Reid (Back) - Out
No. 22 RB Dylan Sampson (Hand) - Questionable
No. 77 G Wyatt Teller (Calf) - Questionable
Friday, December 26
No. 82 TE Brenden Bates (Ankle) - Full
No. 75 G Joel Bitonio (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 7 CB Tyson Campbell (Shoulder) - Full
No. 44 TE Harold Fannin (Groin) - Limited
No. 88 QB Dillion Gabriel (Left Shoulder) - Limited
No. 94 DT Mason Graham (Rib) - Full
No. 51 DT Michael Hall (Illness) - Full
No. 26 Myles Harden (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 5 S Rayshawn Jenkins (Ankle) - Full
No. 74 G Teven Jenkins (Shoulder) - Full
No. 92 DT Sam Kamara (Elbow) - Limited
No. 85 TE David Njoku (Knee) - DNP
No. 59 LB Winston Reid (Back) - Limited
No. 22 RB Dylan Sampson (Hand) - Limited
No. 12 QB Shedeur Sanders (Right Finger) - Full
No. 49 LB Carson Schwesinger (Ankle) - Full
No. 77 G Wyatt Teller (Calf) - Limited
No. 21 CB Denzel Ward (Calf) - Full
Thursday,December 25
No. 82 TE Brenden Bates (Ankle) - Limited
No. 75 G Joel Bitonio (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 7 CB Tyson Campbell (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 94 DT Mason Graham (Rib) - Limited
No. 51 DT Michael Hall (Illness) - Limited
No. 26 Myles Harden (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 5 S Rayshawn Jenkins (Ankle) - Limited
No. 74 G Teven Jenkins (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 92 DT Sam Kamara (Elbow) - Limited
No. 85 TE David Njoku (Knee) - DNP
No. 59 LB Winston Reid (Back) - Limited
No. 22 RB Dylan Sampson (Hand) - Limited
No. 12 QB Shedeur Sanders (Right Finger) - Full
No. 49 LB Carson Schwesinger (Ankle) - Limited
No. 77 G Wyatt Teller (Calf) - Limited
No. 21 CB Denzel Ward (Calf) - Limited
* Team did not conduct practice so participation is an estimate.
Wednesday, December 24
No. 82 TE Brenden Bates (Ankle) - Limited
No. 75 G Joel Bitonio (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 7 CB Tyson Campbell (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 94 DT Mason Graham (Rib) - Limited
No. 51 DT Michael Hall (Illness) - Limited
No. 26 Myles Harden (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 5 S Rayshawn Jenkins (Ankle) - Limited
No. 74 G Teven Jenkins (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 92 DT Sam Kamara (Elbow) - Limited
No. 85 TE David Njoku (Knee) - DNP
No. 59 LB Winston Reid (Back) - Limited
No. 22 RB Dylan Sampson (Hand) - Limited
No. 12 QB Shedeur Sanders (Right Finger) - Full
No. 49 LB Carson Schwesinger (Ankle) - Limited
No. 77 G Wyatt Teller (Calf) - Limited
No. 21 CB Denzel Ward (Calf) - Limited
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