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The Pittsburgh Steelers were missing five players at practice on Wednesday and it seems highly likely that they will be without some key starters when they face the New England Patriots on Sunday. Marcus Gilbert and James Conner were once again forced to sit out training due to the injuries that prevented them from playing in Week 13 and they were joined on the sidelines by Ben Roethlisberger, Sean Davis and Maurkice Pouncey for the first practice session of the week.
Sean Davis (knee), Ben Roethlisberger (ribs), James Conner (ankle) and Marcus Gilbert (knee) did not practice for the Steelers today because of injuries. Anthony Chickillo (ankle) was limited. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) December 12, 2018
While the absence of Roethlisberger was to be expected, there had been some hope that at least one of Gilbert or Conner might have been able to take part in training in a limited capacity on Wednesday. Barring a miraculous recovery over the next 24 hours, it seems doubtful either will play in Week 15.
Although the inclusion of Davis on the injury report with a knee issue is something of a surprise, he did not sound like a man concerned about missing the upcoming game when talking to reporters after training. After being listed as limited, the progress of Anthony Chickillo will be one to watch as it gets closer to game day as he struggles with an ankle injury that forced him to miss two days of practice last week. Pouncey should return to training on Thursday having received his standard midweek rest day.
The Patriots injury report saw only two players listed on Wednesday and both were full participants in training.
Check out today’s @Patriots injury report. Can’t remember the last time they had nobody missing or limited in practice this late in the season. @NBC10 pic.twitter.com/efavmJh6Xj
— Frank Carpano (@NBC10_FrankCarp) December 12, 2018