The Pittsburgh Steelers have a slew of injured players to keep an eye on ahead of the Week 17 game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. The list includes wide receiver George Pickens, cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson, safety DeShon Elliott and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi.
Pickens, Jackson, Elliott and Ogunjobi all sat out the Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens, and each were sorely missed. Porter Jr. suffered a knee injury during the contest against the Ravens and left early, leaving his status up in the air.
According to the Steelers’ Monday injury report, which was an estimation because the Steelers only held a walkthrough, Pickens, Elliott, Jackson and Ogunjobi were listed as full participants, while Porter Jr. did not practice for the second straight day.
Steelers injury report
Here’s a look at the Steelers full injury report for Monday.
Steelers’ Tuesday Injury Report: pic.twitter.com/Ke7pcbrQbm
— John Lydic (@ENNJohnLydic) December 23, 2024
George Pickens injury update
There’s great news on the Pickens front, as Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that he’s expected to play.
When asked about his status for Week 17, Pickens was non-committal.
“I feel good, but who makes the decision is the coaches and the doctors,” he said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “So just whatever they tell me to do, I’m doing. Whenever you guys find out is when I’ll find out.”
Donte Jackson injury update
Also per Pryor, Jackson revealed that he is going to play against the Chiefs.
“Just get out there, get ready to duke it out. That’s all,” Jackson said.
Joey Porter Jr. injury update
Porter Jr. not practicing the first two days of the week means he’s trending toward not playing. Head coach Mike Tomlin noted that it would be difficult for the second-year cornerback to play on a short week but considered him as questionable to begin the week.
#Steelers Mike Tomlin said it’s questionable for Joey Porter, Junior. He says it will ‘probably be a difficult time playing’ for anyone who didn’t make it out of the stadium healthy last night
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 22, 2024
Per The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said cornerbacks Cory Trice and James Pierre will see time if Porter Jr. is sidelined, but he also noted, “whoever has the hot hand will probably see more reps.”
Larry Ogunjobi injury update
There hasn’t been full confirmation about Ogunjobi’s status, but the fact that he was listed as an estimated full participant suggests he’ll play.
DeShon Elliott injury update
Like Ogunjobi, there hasn’t been any confirmation about Elliott playing, but his full practice on Wednesday means he’s in good shape. On Sunday, Tomlin said Elliott has a “real chance to play.”
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