The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to battle the injury bug ahead of Sunday night’s Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets. They held their first practice of the week with several players getting rest days, but there were a number of players listed as non-participants.
The most surprising name on the DNP list in their first practice of the week was running back Najee Harris, who was listed with a rib injury. Harris has earned some veteran rest days in recent weeks, so it could be that the team is just being cautious leading up to the game. Keep an eye on his participation through the remainder of the week as an indication of whether this issue is actually of concern in terms of his Week 7 availability.
On the positive front, OLB Alex Highsmith has now logged his third limited practice as he looks to make a return from a groin injury aggravated in Week 3. He has missed each of the last three games with the injury and could be on track to make a return in Week 7. In HC Mike Tomlin’s Tuesday press conference, he noted that he feels “really optimistic” about a potential return for Highsmith. His return is especially welcome considering the hamstring injury OLB Nick Herbig is managing, as Herbig is already considered “out” for the week.
Rookie center Zach Frazier has also been ruled out with an ankle injury, and backup Ryan McCollum is slated to start.
Here’s a look at the full Steelers practice report for Wednesday, October 16 ahead of Week 7.
Steelers injury report: Week 7 (Wednesday)
DNP: RB Najee Harris (ribs), S Damontae Kazee (ankle), OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring), RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), C Zach Frazier (ankle)
Limited: OLB Alex Highsmith (groin)
Full: TE MyCole Pruitt (knee)
Rest: LG Isaac Seumalo, OLB T.J. Watt, DT Cam Heyward, DT Larry Ogunjobi
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