Steelers S DeShon Elliott is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Ravens with the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Week 15 loss to the Eagles. Elliott returned to a limited Thursday practice, which could signal a Week 17 return to game action.
The Steelers listed Edge T.J. Watt as a full participant in Thursday's practice and gave him no injury designation for Saturday's game against the Ravens. So Watt's ready to play just six days after spraining an ankle late in the loss to the Eagles. Don't be surprised if we get a more limited version of Watt against Baltimore. But there's risk to sitting the star pass rusher. I'll be watching for reports ahead of the game signaling any specific limitation on his playing time or mobility.
Steelers Edge T.J. Watt returned to a limited practice Wednesday and is expected to play Saturday against the Ravens. HC Mike Tomlin said earlier in the week that he's "optimistic" about Watt's chances of playing through the low-ankle sprain he sustained late in the Week 15 loss to the Eagles.
Steelers Edge T.J. Watt left Sunday's loss to the Eagles late in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a low-ankle sprain. Watt said after the game that X-rays were negative.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Edge T.J. Watt (knee) will miss Sunday's playoff game at Buffalo. That likely leaves rookie Nick Herbig as the playing-time leader in Watt's spot opposite Alex Highsmith.
J.J. Watt reports that the injury to his little brother's knee isn't as bad as originally feared. He says Steelers Edge T.J. Watt sustained a mere Grade 2 sprain to his left MCL. That could still knock the younger Watt out of Pittsburgh's playoff opener. But it gives him a better chance to play than previous reports or a tear or Grade 3 sprain. We'll see about Watt's status heading into Wild Card weekend.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers believe Edge T.J. Watt suffered a Grade 3 sprain to his left MCL in Saturday's win over the Ravens. Watt reportedly wanted to re-enter the game after sustaining the injury, but the team would not let him. He'll have further testing to confirm what is typically a multi-week injury. If the Steelers make the playoffs -- they need some help Sunday -- we'll see whether Watt can return for the opener.
Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's believed to be an MCL tear. That would seem to make Watt unlikely to play in the playoffs, if Pittsburgh qualifies.
Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) is inactive for today's game against the Ravens. LB Elandon Roberts (pec) is active.
The Steelers list S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and LB Elandon Roberts (pec) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Ravens. Each guy remained limited in practice all week and will carry some risk even if active. We'll check their statuses ahead of Saturday's kickoff.
Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and LB Elandon Roberts (pec) put in limited practices Wednesday. It marked the first workout for Fitzpatrick since he left Week 15 with the injury. Roberts also practiced for the first time since leaving Week 16 early. We'll see whether the defensive starters are ready to play Saturday against the Ravens.
Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss a second straight game with his knee injury. He has yet to practice since sustaining the injury. This will be the sixth missed game among the past nine for Fitzpatrick, leaving a severely depleted safety corps to face the Seahawks. Eric Rowe started in Fitzpatrick's place last week, collecting 7 tackles (3 solo) and an INT against the Bengals. He's still tough to use in Week 18 IDP lineups after just one start.
The Steelers announced Thursday that DL Cameron Heyward has cleared the concussion protocol. Rather than publicly ponder whether Pittsburgh's concussion process should get league review after Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Alex HIghsmith all cleared in time for the game following their injuries ... we'll just go ahead and get Heyward into the Week 16 DL rankings. He's a decent IDP option against a Bengals team that did allow him a sack last time. But Heyward hasn't generated more than 2 pressures in a game this year. He's a solid bet for tackles -- including a tackle for loss -- but a less-good bet for sack production.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said Monday that S Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss Saturday's game against the Bengals with the knee injury that knocked him out of the Week 15 loss to the Colts. Trenton Thompson filled in and led Pittsburgh safeties in playing time in a game that also saw S Damontae Kazee ejected. CB Patrick Peterson also shifted over to safety for most of the game. Tomlin on Monday mentioned Eric Rowe and Elijah Riley as potential safety help for Week 16. The group is likely not worth your attention for IDP purposes this week. You can find a steadier option.
Update: The NFL has suspended Kazee for the rest of the season for "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That leaves Pittsburgh without its top two current safeties, with Keanu Neal also not ready to return from IR.
The Steelers placed DL Cameron Heyward in the concussion protocol after Saturday's loss to the Colts. That'll challenge his availability for next Saturday's matchup with the Bengals. We'll watch Heyward's progress through the week.
Steelers Edge Alex Highsmith has cleared the concussion protocol. The team says he's expected to play Saturday against the Colts. With T.J. Watt clearing the protocol earlier this week, Pittsburgh's defense will have both edge starters back the game after they sustained their injuries against New England.
The Steelers announced Wednesday that an independent neurologist has cleared Edge T.J. Watt to play this weekend against the Colts. Watt entered the concussion protocol after the loss to the Patriots but should be set for Week 15 IDP lineups. Edge Alex Highsmith remains in the concussion protocol, however
Steelers Edge Alex Highsmith left in the first half of Thursday night's game against the Patriots with a neck injury. The team ruled him out for the game before halftime. We'll see about his status for Week 15 and beyond.
NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports that Steelers LB Elandon Roberts will play tonight against the Patriots. Roberts turned up questionable despite injuring his groin early in Sunday's contest and quickly being ruled out. Roberts managed limited practices the past two days. We'd still be a little wary of using him this week, with the risk of re-injury. But Roberts does appear in our Week 14 LB rankings. We've also nudged LB Mykal Walker down.
Update: Roberts is officially active.
Steelers LB Elandon Roberts left Sunday's game against the Cardinals in the first half with a groin injury and was ruled out before halftime. That doesn't bode well for his chances of being ready for Pittsburgh's Thursday night game against the Patriots. Mykal Walker took over defensive play-calling duties after Roberts and would likely lead the LB corps in playing time in any further games Roberts misses.
Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick is off the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. That follows a week of full practices and indicates Fitzpatrick is all the way back from the hamstring injury that cost him the past four games. There's some risk in trusting Fitzpatrick in his first game back, but the team's treatment suggests they do. You'll find Fitzpatrick just outside DB2 territory in our Week 13 rankings.
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