The Pittsburgh Steelers are in full preparation for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5 at Heinz Field, and their injury report is something to celebrate — except one player.
All of the players who were listed as non-participants or limited after Wednesday’s practice were listed as full participants on Thursday, except for offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, who did not practice.
Gilbert has missed the past two weeks with a hamstring injury, and after practicing fully leading up to Week 4, Gilbert was downgraded and eventually ruled out of the game vs. the Ravens last week.
It seemed to be the same story this week, with Gilbert being a full participant Wednesday, and out of practice on Thursday. But there might be more to this than meets the eye. As reported by SteelCityInsider beat writer James Wexell, Gilbert had a planned day off and should play on Sunday.
Marcus Gilbert, with a planned day off for hamstring recovery, is expected to play Sunday. Steelers would have full, intended lineup intact.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) October 5, 2017
Giving the hamstring a day to fully recover wouldn’t be completely foreign, but it’s certainly not the norm in the NFL. If Wexell’s report is accurate, and there’s no reason to think otherwise, then Gilbert would complete the team’s offense in Week 6. Look harder at the Steelers’ injury report after Thursday’s workout and it’s possible the Steelers will have all of their starters on both sides of the ball together for the first time in quite awhile.
Friday’s practice report will be the ultimate tell about a player’s availability for Sunday but, in the meantime, check out the Steelers and Jaguars injury report below:
Injury Report
Pittsburgh
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
T Marcus Gilbert (Hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION
S Sean Davis (Ankle)
LB Bud Dupree (Shoulder)
G Ramon Foster (Thumb)
LB James Harrison (Illness)
TE Jesse James (Shoulder)
S Mike Mitchell (Hamstring)
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Not Injury Related)
LB Ryan Shazier (Shoulder)
DE Stephon Tuitt (Biceps)
Jacksonville
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
WR Marqise Lee (Ribs)
LB Lerentee McCray (Knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
WR Jaelen Strong (Hamstring)
CB Jalen Ramsey (Ankle)
S Jarrod Wilson (Shoulder)
G A.J. Cann (Hand)
C Brandon Linder (Illness)
DT Malik Jackson (Groin)
FULL PARTICIPATION
QB Blake Bortles (Right Wrist)
RB Leonard Fournette (Ankle)
FB Tommy Bohanon (Knee)
LB Donald Payne (Hamstring)