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It is looking increasingly likely that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be forced to take on the Cincinnati Bengals without the help of two key defensive starters in Week 17 after both Vince Williams and Sean Davis sat out a second day of practice on Thursday. With Antonio Brown a new injury concern on report having received a veteran rest day on Wednesday, his status for Sunday could also be in doubt.
#Steelers Thursday injury report vs #Bengals:
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 27, 2018
MISSED: Sean Davis (quad), Antonio Brown (knee), Vince Williams (toe) Ramon Foster (maintenance).
Brown's injury is new to report. He did not practice Wednesday (coaches decision).
James Conner (ankle) went full again. @937theFan
In better news, James Conner was able to practice as a full participant for a second day in a row and there appears to be a good chance he will be medically cleared to play against the Bengals.
If Williams cannot go, he would be replaced in the lineup by L.T. Fort. If Davis is sidelined for the game, it is unclear if his spot would go to Morgan Burnett, Mike Hilton or even Marcus Allen or some combination of all three at various points in the game, with Burnett looking the most likely candidate to start in his absence.
While Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey returned from their veteran rest days, it was the turn to Ramon Foster to take his on Thursday and he should be expected back at practice tomorrow.
Despite concerns about a knee issue for Brown, his teammates appear confident he will be able to play on Sunday.
#Steelers WR Antonio Brown did not practice for a second consecutive day. While yesterday was a coach's decision, today he left before practice to rest what is said to be a sore knee. Two of his teammates said they expect he'll be OK by Sunday though.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 27, 2018