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The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen several players sustain nagging injuries during the past few weeks, and it would appear that only a handful of them have been cleared to suit up against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. With a number of other veterans set to have the night off as well, there will be plenty of opportunities for the younger players on the roster to see some snaps during the Steelers’ second preseason game.
Speaking to the media earlier in the day on Tuesday, Mike Tomlin confirmed he would be resting Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Cameron Heyward and Landry Jones, and he highlighted the injured players who had already been ruled out in Ramon Foster (knee) and Vance McDonald (foot).
For a whole host of other players who spent time on the sidelines recently, Tomlin suggested the door remained open for their possible involvement. This group would include players like T.J. Watt (hamstring), Sean Davis (groin), Xavier Grimble (thumb), Marcus Allen, James Conner (groin), Stevan Ridley and B.J. Finney (quad). While he was short on information about the health of most of those injured, he did at least have some good news to share about Bud Dupree, as reported by Bob Labriola of Steelers.com.
“We’ve had a number of guys dealing with injury. The number of guys who can be characterized as week-to-week won’t play. Vance McDonald, Ramon Foster, guys like them. The guys who are dealing more with day-to-day injuries, the guys who have missed partial work, or maybe a day or two here and there, we’ll leave the light on for those guys with the hope they’re participants. Bud Dupree is out of the protocol. He’s playing.”
Fans on hand for the Steelers’ last day of practice open to the public this year would have noticed a number of players back at work on Tuesday who missed time recently.
Not only is Bud Dupree back today, so is Anthony Chickillo. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 14, 2018
Stephon Tuitt back at practice today after being ill yesterday. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 14, 2018
However, there were still some notable names unable to take part in training.
Xavier Grimble and TJ Watt still out. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 14, 2018
Sean Davis and Marcus Allen still out of practice. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 14, 2018
Final open practice of Steelers camp. Stevan Ridley not practicing.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) August 14, 2018
The most significant injury concern of the day centered around Ben Roethlisberger after he went down with an apparent head injury towards the end of practice, one that would ultimately require him to be evaluated for a concussion.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger holds his head after getting knocked to the turf during afternoon practice. pic.twitter.com/YOVQc6Ift9
— Peter Diana (@peterdianapghpg) August 14, 2018
Given that the plan already was to give Roethlisberger the night off at Lambeau Field, his injury will have no impact on the distribution of snaps at quarterback against the Packers. But it’s likely his participation in Week-3 preseason activities will be limited, assuming he’s been cleared by the medical staff by then.