The Pittsburgh Steelers know how to draft wide receivers, and thank goodness they do after the injury report was released after Thursday's practice. Of all positions on the field, the Steelers are likely the deepest at the receiver position, and this depth will be truly tested this Sunday when the team travels to Miami to play the Dolphins. No, not because the Miami secondary is ridiculously daunting, but because the Steelers could be very thin at the position.
Sammie Coates (lacerated finger) and Markus Wheaton (shoulder) both have yet to practice this week, making Friday's practice crucial for their participation in the upcoming game. Thankfully the team saw Eli Rogers return to practice for a second straight day as a full participant, pointing to his return from a turf toe injury. They will need Rogers if Coates and Wheaton can't play. In this scenario, their depth chart would be:
Antonio Brown
Eli Rogers
Darius Heyward-Bey
Promote WR Cobi Hamilton from practice squad
If Coates is able to play Sunday, the Steelers offensive depth chart won't have to change much, especially with Le'Veon Bell being versatile enough to play both running back and as a slot receiver.
Other than the receiver position, the Steelers saw Robert Golden (hamstring), Justin Gilbert (knee) and Roosevelt Nix (back) practice fully for the second consecutive day, which could result in them returning to the lineup in Week 6. Ryan Shazier (knee) returned on a limited basis, but fans shouldn't expect to see him play this Sunday in South Beach.
Check out the full injury reports for both the Steelers and Dolphins below:
Pittsburgh
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
WR Sammie Coates (Finger)
T Marcus Gilbert (Ankle)
DE Cameron Heyward (Hamstring)
S Shamarko Thomas (Groin)
C Cody Wallace (Knee)
WR Markus Wheaton (Shoulder)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
LB Ryan Shazier (Knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION
CB Justin Gilbert (Knee)
S Robert Golden (Hamstring)
FB Roosevelt Nix (Back)
WR Eli Rogers (Toe)
Miami
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE Jordan Cameron (Concussion)
CB Xavien Howard (Knee)
S Reshad Jones (Groin)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
S Isa Abdul Quddus (Knee)
RB Arian Foster (Hamstring)
LB Jelani Jenkins (Groin)
G Anthony Steen (Ankle)
T Laremy Tunsil (Ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION
WR Jakeem Grant (Ankle)
TE MarQueis Gray (Calf)