Entering Week Eight of the 2023 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to get a bit healthier.
Sort of.
Despite one key player returning to the practice field in a limited capacity Thursday, the Steelers saw wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (shoulder) miss practice on the South Side while dealing with their respective ailments.
Star defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who has been on the Reserve/Injured list since Week Two following a groin injury that required surgery, returned to practice Thursday, activating this 21-day practice window to be activated from the Reserve/Injured list. Heyward practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, according to the practice report released by the Steelers Thursday.
Along with Heyward, rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (calf) and cornerback Levi Wallace (foot) were limited ahead of the team’s Sunday game against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.
STEELERS THURSDAY INJURY REPORT
DNP
WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring)
DL Larry Ogunjobi (shoulder)
LIMITED
CB Joey Porter Jr. (calf)
CB Levi Wallace (foot)
DL Cameron Heyward (groin)
FULL
LB Cole Holcomb (ankle)
RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (knee)
OL Nate Herbig (illness)
After returning from the Reserve/Injured list in Week Seven against the Los Angeles Rams following a month on the shelf with a hamstring injury, Johnson missed practice Thursday with the same ailment. It’s unclear if the Steelers are just being cautious or if the veteran receiver tweaked his hamstring again. Friday will be a key day for him after missing Thursday.
Ogunjobi has not appeared on the injury report since Week Four when he was dealing with a foot injury, so the shoulder injury is something new. Since joining the Steelers, Ogunjobi has been dealing with various ailments, which has caused him to miss significant practice time but just one game.
Porter popped up on the injury report Thursday and reportedly practiced with a wrap on his calf, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Joe Rutter. The rookie cornerback reportedly told Rutter that the wrap is precautionary and that he is expected to play Sunday against the Jaguars.
Wallace, after missing practice Wednesday with the foot injury, returned to practice Thursday in a limited fashion, while Heyward was limited as well.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb practiced in full for the second straight day despite head coach Mike Tomlin stating Tuesday he might be limited early in the week with an ankle injury, while guard Nate Herbig returned to practice after being sick on Wednesday. Guard Isaac Seumalo is off the injury report after missing Wednesday’s practice with an illness. He’s now good to go for the game against Jacksonville.
Pittsburgh and Jacksonville kick off Sunday at 1 PM/EST.
