The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t release their first injury report of the week until Thursday afternoon but ahead of that, we’re already getting a good idea as to which day-to-day players are currently able to practice ahead of Monday night’s regular season opener against the Washington Redskins.
While the Wednesday morning pre practice updates on defensive lineman Cameron Heyward and Javon Hargrave were positive, the post practice reports on tackle Marcus Gilbert and wide receiver Markus Wheaton are just as encouraging.
According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Gilbert (elbow) and Wheaton (shoulder) both said Wednesday after practice that they should be able to play Monday night. Gilbert, who suffered his elbow injury during the team’s third preseason game, claimed that he practiced on Wednesday while Wheaton reportedly said that didn’t do much of anything as he takes care of his shoulder sprain.
On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin listed Gilbert, Wheaton, Heyward, Hargrave, Daniel McCullers (knee), Cody Wallace (knee), Roosevelt Nix (back), and Shamarko Thomas (groin) all as day-to-day.
The Steelers Thursday injury report should reveal more about the status of all injured players. Additionally, Saturday’s injury report, the final one prior to Monday night’s game, will no longer include the probable designation as the league has decided to do away with that one. From now on, players must be designated as questionable, doubtful, or out ahead of games.
