Steelers Injury Report: T.J. Watt a full participant at practice on Thursday

The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing their preparation for Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season. As the Steelers take the practice field for their second day of preparation for the Green Bay Packers, nine names were on the list with one new player being added. In the second injury report of the week courtesy of Steelers.com , three players did not participate in practice while two others were limited.

Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 4

Thursday, September 30

QB Ben Roethlisberger (Pectoral) - Full

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ribs) - Limited

DT Carlos Davis (Knee) - DNP

OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Concussion) - DNP

WR Diontae Johnson (Knee) - Full

LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - Limited

OL Rashaad Coward (Ankle) - DNP

LB T.J. Watt (Groin) - Full

WR Chase Claypool (Hamstring) - Limited

As expected, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice on Thursday after his scheduled day off on Wednesday. Just like last week, rather than have him listed as a coaches decision, Roethlisberger is listed as having a pectoral injury but was a full participant.

After leaving Sunday’s game with a rib injury, JuJu Smith-Schuster did not practice on Wednesday. On Thursday, Smith-Schuster moved in the right direction as he was limited but did participate. The progression to Friday’s practice will ultimately tell the tale for Smith-Schuster and his availability for Sunday.

The other two players who did not practicing on Wednesday were Carlos Davis with a knee injury and Chukwuma Okorafor with a concussion. On Thursday, both players did not practice yet again. With Okorafor needing to move through the concussion protocol, the likelihood of him being cleared for Sunday’s game is very difficult if he cannot participate in practice.

On Wednesday, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith both participated in practice on a limited basis with their groin injuries. On Thursday, Watt returned as a full participant while Highsmith was still limited. Although both players will have a chance to play this weekend, it is extra encouraging to see Watt being able to do everything in practice still with one day left to go.

Diontae Johnson also returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday after missing Week 3 with a knee injury. On Thursday, Johnson was able to get back on the field as a full participant. Barring no setbacks, it appears Johnson is on his way to returning for Week 4.

A new player to the injury report on Thursday is wide receiver Chase Claypool. Dealing with an hamstring issue, Claypool was listed as limited on Thursday. The extent of his injury and if it will affect his availability for Sunday is unknown at this time.

The final player on the injury list was guard Rashaad Coward who was limited with an ankle injury on Wednesday. On Thursday, Coward was unable to practice which was a good indication that his injury occurred on Wednesday while the Steelers were practicing. Typically inactive on game day in 2021, whether or not Coward is available may not affect the Steelers plans for Week 4.

As for the Packers’ injury report, you can see the names below courtesy of Steelers.com.

Green Bay Packers Participation/Injury Report, Week 4

Thursday, September 30

LB Krys Barnes (Concussion) - Limited

G Elgton Jenkins (Ankle) - DNP

CB Kevin King (Concussion) - DNP

WR Marques Valdes-Scantling (Hamstring) - DNP

RB Aaron Jones (Ankle) - Limited

S Vernon Scott(Hamstring) - Limited

C/G Josh Myers (Finger) - Full

RB A.J. Dillon (Back) - Limited

For more information on the Steelers and Packers’ injury reports, check out the BTSC Injury Report podcast below: