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The Pittsburgh Steelers had their first practice of Week 17 as they prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens. According to the Steelers PR Department, there were four players who did not participate in practice on Thursday, three of which were due to injury.
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An injured player new to the list Wednesday was cornerback Steven Nelson who was sidelined with a groin injury. Fortunately, Nelson was able to return to practice as a full participant Thursday and is hopeful to play on Sunday in Baltimore.
Maurkice Pouncey is still out with a knee injury and has already been ruled out by head coach Mike Tomlin in his Tuesday press conference. Pouncey has not been put on the IR and therefore would be eligible to play beyond Week 17 should the Steelers qualify for the postseason.
James Conner was unable to practice again on Thursday with his thigh injury. Although not as severe as initially feared, Coach Tomlin did not seem overly optimistic of Conner’s chances to play in Baltimore on Sunday. Conner has not been ruled out, but the lack of progress so far this week does not look promising.
The other players who did not practice on Wednesday due to a coaches decision all returned on Thursday. Mark Barron, David DeCastro, Vance McDonald, and Alejandro Villanueva. were given their typical veteran’s day off along with T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. Guard Ramon Foster was out as a coaches decision on Thursday which has been the typical pattern the last half of the season.
The final player who did not practice on Thursday was cornerback Joe Haden with a foot injury. Haden fully expects to play on Sunday.
Joe Haden told me he didn’t practice today but is fine for Sunday vs #Ravens. #Steelers
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 26, 2019
As for the Ravens’ injury report, it can be seen below courtesy of Steelers.com.
Baltimore Ravens Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Thursday, December 26
TE Mark Andrews (Ankle) - DNP
CB Brandon Carr (NIR) - Full
RB Mark Ingram (Ankle) - DNP
DT Brandon Williams (NIR) - DNP
DT Chris Wormley (NIR) - DNP
CB Marcus Peters (Chest) - Limited
CB Jimmy Smith (NIR) - Limited
S Earl Thomas (NIR) - DNP