Now that Week 6 of the season is now in the books, Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Mike Adams is eligible to return from the PUP list. However, according to a Monday morning report by Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the former second-round draft pick won’t practice this week.
Adams has been on the Steelers Reserve PUP list with a back issue since the start of the regular season. He had surgery in late July, so one would think he should be able to resume practicing very soon assuming he hasn’t experienced any setbacks.
The Steelers lost starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum for the remainder of the season on Sunday to a torn ACL, so they could certainly use Adams back sooner rather than later.
Adams now has three weeks in which he must begin practicing at some point. If he fails to do so, he must be placed on the Reserve/Injured list or released outright if not placed back on the 53 man roster. Once he does resume practicing, the Steelers will then have three weeks from that point before the same decision must be made.
With Beachum out for the season, Alejandro Villanueva will start in his place at left tackle. Additionally, at some point this week, Beachum is expected to be placed on the Reserve/Injured list.
The Steelers might be forced to sign another experienced tackle to their 53 man roster this week. If they choose not to go that route, they might just decide to promote Matt Feiler from the practice squad.
