Tag: 2020 Steelers injuries

Potential of Steelers’ Robert Spillane back this week is ‘good problem to have’

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach provided update on linebacker Robert Spillane in Tuesday’s press conference.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been without playmaking linebacker Robert Spillane for the past four games but could get him back just when they need him. Spillane suffered a knee injury versus the Washington Football Team and was placed on injured reserve.

In his weekly press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke of the significance of having both Spillane and offensive lineman Matt Feiler could back in time for Browns matchup. “The inclusion, or potential inclusion, of those guys is exciting,” said Tomlin. “But it also creates some challenges from a decision-making standpoint because we feel like we have some options. The guys who have played in place of those guys have done some good work for us. That’s a good problem to have as we prepare this week.”

Rookie guard Kevin Dotson has played in place of Feiler, who was struggling mightily after moving from tackle to guard in the offseason, and the offensive line has performed better because of it.

Linebacker Avery Williamson, who the Steelers signed after Devin Bush went down for the season, has been hot and cold. Williamson will continue to rotate in, as he did prior to Spillane’s injury, but there’s no way Williamson starts if Spillane is healthy.

Dotson, on the other hand, cannot and should not be supplanted by Feiler.

[vertical-gallery id=485114]

[lawrence-related id=485215]

Ben Roethlisberger addresses injury concerns in press conference

It should be no surprise that Pittsburgh’s 38-year-old signal-caller is banged up — every player is. 

On Sunday morning, CBS Sports Jason LaConfora published a piece stating that sources within the Steelers organization are concerned about an injury to Big Ben’s knee.

LaConfora wrote:

“Ben Roethlisberger’s knee injury, which flared up a few weeks back, has become a source of greater concern within the Steelers organization, sources said, further limiting the quarterback’s mobility at a time when Pittsburgh is throwing the ball at an alarming rate.”

In the Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Big Ben got whiplashed between two defenders, taken to the ground, and grabbed his right knee, then left knee. He closed the drive with a score before heading to the locker room, came out in the second half with his knees wrapped, and led the Steelers to a comeback win.

Roethlisberger went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after contact tracing deemed him a close contact to tight end Vance McDonald. He had a week of respite from practice, followed by a season-best performance of 333 yards and four touchdowns versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to the man himself, father time is the only issue with Ben’s knees.

“I would love to know where [the report] came from,” said Roethlisberger. “Other than having an old knee and arthritis, my knee feels really good…That report, to me, is one of those phony things people sometimes want to make up.”

In the press conference recapping the Dallas game, head coach Mike Tomlin shot down any concerns with his quarterback’s knees. “He’s gotten all the proper rehabilitation that he needs through the course of the week. To be honest with you, his knees weren’t an issue at all anyway.”

It was enough of a concern to keep him out of practice in the week leading up to their first loss of the season versus the Washington Football Team. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Roethlisberger received treatment for an injured knee, which designated him as questionable for Week 13.

As far as his surgically-repaired elbow, Ben says it’s fine. “Typically, this
time of year, my elbow would be getting worn down, and I don’t feel that right now, so I’m very encouraged by that.”

It’s Week 15 in a season where the Steelers have been going non-stop without a bye week. It should be no surprise that Pittsburgh’s 38-year-old signal-caller is banged up — every player is.

[vertical-gallery id=484086]

[listicle id=484040]

Pittsburgh Steelers rule out 3 for Jacksonville Jaguars game

The Steelers look to be heading into Jacksonville with nearly a clean slate on the injury front.

The Steelers Friday injury report looks fairly clean, with only running backs Trey Edmunds, Jaylen Samuels, and linebacker Jayrone Elliott ruled out for Sunday.

Edmunds (hamstring) and Samuels (quad) were both injured versus the Bengals. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin indicated on Tuesday that the backs’ availability would be dependent on practice participation, and neither took part all week. Elliott (illness) also has not been at practice this week.

As anticipated, cornerback Mike Hilton will be back in action. He was a full practice participant all week after exiting with a shoulder injury in the second quarter of Week 6.

Though Cam Sutton has played solid in Hilton’s absence, having him back in the lineup is just the injection Pittsburgh’s defense needs.

[lawrence-related id=481793]

Tight end Vance McDonald and guard Kevin Dotson have not yet been activated from reserve/COVID-19.

Here’s Friday’s full rundown as reported by Teresa Varley of Steelers.com:

Game status
RB Trey Edmunds (Hamstring) – Out
RB Jaylen Samuels (Quadriceps) – Out
LB Jayrone Elliott (Illness) – Out

Practice participation
QB Ben Roethlisberger (NIR) – Full
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (NIR) – Full
RB Anthony McFarland (Illness) – Full
CB Mike Hilton (Shoulder) – Full
RB Trey Edmunds (Hamstring) – DNP
RB Jaylen Samuels (Quadriceps) – DNP
LB Jayrone Elliott (Illness) – DNP
C Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) – Full
G David DeCastro (NIR) – Full
T Alejandro Villanueva (NIR) – Full
DE Stephon Tuitt (NIR) – Full
DE Isaiah Buggs (Ankle) – Full

[vertical-gallery id=481824]

Pittsburgh Steelers host defensive tackle for visit

Injuries to Cam Heyward and Tyson Alualu leave the Steelers with a need at defensive tackle.

Per the NFL transaction report, the Steelers hosted defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas for a visit on Tuesday.

Christmas was a sixth-round draft selection by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He was placed on the PUP list during rookie training camp and never activated. The Seahawks released him in October after he failed to make the 53-man roster.

The 6’3, 302-pound Florida State product played in 51 games (38 starts). He contributed 105 tackles (10.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 13 defended passes and two fumble recoveries.

Pittsburgh is in the market for run-stopping depth at defensive tackle after suffering two injuries on Sunday — after and during being gashed for 265 yards rushing. A visit is just a visit, but still, scouting reports are mixed about his abilities as a run defender and note weaknesses in pass pro.

Injuries to Cam Heyward (quad) and Tyson Alualu have been deemed not serious by head coach Mike Tomlin, but neither participated in practice on Wednesday.

[vertical-gallery id=480516]

[lawrence-related id=480709]

Steelers RB James Conner appears ready to roll this week

Though it’s unknown what his status will be Sunday, Steelers running back James Conner was a full practice participant Thursday and Friday.

Although it remains to be seen how the Steelers will use him on Sunday, Steelers running back James Conner (ankle) practiced fully on Thursday and Friday and was not given an injury designation.

Conner exited the Giants game Monday night after gaining just nine yards on six carries. He also had two receptions on four targets, one for a first down.

It was reported Tuesday that he avoided a high ankle sprain, an injury with which he missed three late-season games in 2018.

“I’ve just got to be there for my teammates, keep trending in the right direction, and we’ll see what happens on Sunday,” Conner said in a Friday press conference.

Conner gave props to two of those teammates, Benny Snell, Jr. and Jaylen Samuels. “They’ve been playing huge,” he said. “I’m not really a selfish guy. Having the starting label, I want to be out there and just compete.”

The running back shared that he can’t pinpoint exactly when the injury occurred Monday night. Conner added that he wasn’t able to put pressure on his ankle and that “something didn’t feel right.”

Now in his fourth season, Conner has had his share of injury issues in the past. He did say, however, that this was not a re-aggravation of a past injury.

Special Week 2 Promotion! Bet $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either the Denver Broncos or Pittsburgh Steelers score a touchdown in their Week 1 game. Place your legal, online sports bets in IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

[vertical-gallery id=463887]

[lawrence-related id=476373]

REPORT: Steelers James Conner avoids high ankle sprain

It’s been reported that Steelers running back James Conner has avoided an extended injury.

There appears to be a silver lining with the injury to Steelers running back James Conner. Early diagnosis is that he avoided the dreaded high ankle sprain. While any injury puts a damper on Conner’s big redemption season, it could definitely have been worse.

High ankle sprains sideline running backs typically for several weeks. Giants running back Saquon Barkley suffered a high ankle in practice last season. Though Barkley only missed three games, he was not quite the same upon his return.

Conner has not completed a full season since he was drafted in 2017 and missed six games last year.

Benny Snell, Jr. lit a spark in the run game that was non-existent when it started with Conner.

[vertical-gallery id=476314]

[lawrence-related id=476277]