The Pittsburgh Steelers will play their first preseason game Friday night at Heinz Field against the Detroit Lions and on Wednesday head coach Mike Tomlin revealed the players who are unlikely to play in that contest.
“I’m not going to officially declare anyone out,” started Tomlin. “I like to leave the door open particularly for those that are nursing minor injuries. But it’s reasonable to say that these group of guys probably won’t participate in the game due to injury or general lack of work in recent days associated with their injury. Markus Wheaton, [Travis] Feeney, [Artie] Burns, obviously [Senquez] Golson coming out of surgery and Canaan Severin coming out of surgery. Roy Philon had an ankle injury sustained yesterday so he’s a probable non-participant in this game.”
Tomlin also indicated Wednesday that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown, running back Le’Veon Bell, center Maurkice Pouncey, and running back DeAngelo Williams will be held out Friday night.
“I’m going to put together a schedule of participation for those guys but that schedule probably won’t be in this first preseason game,” said Tomlin. “We’re going to play it by ear with those guys that I mentioned and deal with their overall readiness toward the regular season on a week-to-week basis, but won’t be participating this week.”
As far as rookie tackle Jerald Hawkins goes, Tomlin had no update on the shoulder injury that he suffered during Tuesday’s joint practice against the Lions.
“I don’t know the status of his availability or the extent of that injury relative to this game’s opportunity,” said Tomlin.
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