Steelers Injury Report: Ben Roethlisberger returns to practice on Thursday

The Pittsburgh Steelers continued with their Week 3 preparation as they host the Cincinnati Bengals in the first AFC North matchup of the season. In the second injury report of the week courtesy of the Steelers PR department, one new player was added to the list while many others are holding steady.

Steelers PR Department

As is typically the case, Ben Roethlisberger did not practice on Wednesday, but this time it was due to a left pectoral injury. Knowing the real test was going to be Roethlisberger’s involvement on Thursday and beyond, he returned in a limited fashion and was seen throwing. If the pectoral injury doesn’t worsen after throwing, hopefully Roethlisberger will be ready to go on Friday and beyond.

Devin Bush returned to practice on Wednesday as a full participant after missing Sunday’s game with a groin injury. On Thursday, Bush was back again as a full participant and is on track to return this week.

Another positive from Wednesday’s injury report was Joe Haden and T.J. Watt participated in a limited basis in practice with their groin injuries. On Thursday, T.J. Watt continued in a limited role while Joe Haden was a full participant. By participating two days in a row, both players should still be good possibilities to suit up on Sunday.

Another player who was limited in practice on Wednesday was cornerback Justin Layne with an Achilles injury. Dialing it back from the previous day, Layne did not practice on Thursday and his availability for Sunday is even more in question.

The one player who did land on the list on Wednesday as a coaches decision was tight end Eric Ebron. As expected, Ebron returned as a full participant Thursday.

The Steelers had three other players who did not practice at all on Wednesday. Carlos Davis, who did not play in Sunday’s game, as well as Diontae Johnson, who is injured on the final play of Sunday’s game, both sat out with knee injuries. Additionally, Alex Highsmith’s groin injury, which first surfaced prior to Week 1. In one of the more discouraging parts of the injury report, none of these three players returned to action for the second practice of the week and things are not looking good for their availability on Sunday.

The new player added to the list on Thursday was linebacker Marcus Allen who did not practice with an abdomen injury. Unsure of exactly what is going on with Allen, Friday’s practice will tell the story with the extent of his injury.

As for the Bengals’ injury report, you can see the names below courtesy of Steelers.com. For the second straight day, wide receiver Tee Higgins and guard Xavier Su’a-Filo did not practice.

Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 3

Thursday, September 23

WR Tee Higgins (Shoulder) - DNP

G Xavier Su’a-Filo (Knee) - DNP

DT Josh Tupou (NIR-Personal) - Full

CB Trae Waynes (Hamstring) - Limited

DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Limited

CB Darius Phillips (NIR - Rest) - Full

For more information on the Injury Report leading up to the Steelers vs. Bengals game, check out the Injury Report podcast below: