Below is a player by player look at the Pittsburgh Steelers from an overall health perspective as they prepare to take on the Oakland Raiders. A complete rundown of the players currently on the injury report this past week.
James Harrison (knee) – Harrison failed to practice any for a second full week in a row and you have to wonder what might be really be going on with his knee. He had his procedure done over 5 weeks ago, but he can\’t seem to get back on the practice field. The Steelers have a bye next week and if he does not practice during the week leading up to the week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, you have to wonder if he might need micro fracture surgery.
Troy Polamalu (calf) – Polamalu will miss his second game in a row on Sunday due to a calf injury suffered against the Denver Broncos in the opener. Speculation is that he should be ready to return after the bye, so keep your fingers crossed for that.
Stevenson Sylvester (knee) – Sylvester will not play against the Raiders, but he did make it back to the practice field this week for the first time since he tore his MCL late in training camp. It appears that after the bye week that the third year linebacker should be able to dress for the Eagles game.
Heath Miller (abdomen) – Miller suffered a rib cartilage separation in the game against the Jets and is pretty sore as a result. After sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday he practiced Friday and will play Sunday against the Raiders. Miller told the media that the injury will not require him to wear any extra protective equipment in the game.
Rashard Mendenhall (knee) – Mendenhall will miss his third straight game this weekend, but is still practicing fully. This week the goal was to “thud” up the running back in practice this week and all reports suggest that he handled the contact well. It is only a matter of time as to when he makes his return to the lineup. When he does, Todd Haley said that he will be eased into action.
Jonathan Dwyer (toe) – Dwyer is battling through a turf toe problem that forced him to sit out the Wednesday practice this past week. Dwyer did work on Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable on the Friday injury report. The bye week will be good for him so he can rest that toe problem.
Marcus Gilbert (groin) – Gilbert hurt his groin on the Steelers second to last offensive play against the Jets last Sunday. While he did sit out on Wednesday, he was able to go fully on Thursday and Friday and will play Sunday versus the Raiders.
Emmanuel Sanders (knee) – Sanders showed up on the Wednesday injury reports as not practicing with a knee issue, but it appears to have been minor in nature as he returned to practice fully on Thursday and Friday. You can expect that the wide receiver might be given a few Wednesday practices off this season to rest that knee.
Mike Wallace (groin) – Wallace had a minor groin issue after the Jets game and sat out Wednesday as a result. He did practice fully on both Thursday and Friday and is at no risk at missing the game on Sunday.
Mike Adams (back) – Adams played just 1 offensive snap against the Jets but he only practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday of this past week. Being as the rookie did not work on either Thursday or Friday, there is a good chance that he will not suit up Sunday against the Raiders. He is listed as questionable on the Friday injury report and is likely considered a gametime decision.
Byron Leftwich (illness) – Leftwich came down sick this week and missed the Thursday practice as a result. The backup quarterback was able to work on Friday and will suit up Sunday against the Raiders.
