If you’re like me, at about 4:00pm ET from Wednesday thru Friday when the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a game, I wait for the alerts to start rolling in regarding the practice report. Yes, I’m that kind of nerd who wants to see just who practiced and who didn’t. But can you blame me with the Steelers preparing for the first round of the playoffs this Sunday?
The Steelers had two key injuries that we were watching with some apprehension: Stephon Tuitt (knee) and Ladarius Green (concussion). It sure was refreshing to see both players practicing fully on Wednesday.
Now, before you go shouting from the rooftops about their return, it should be noted that plenty can change between now and then. Tuitt’s knee could respond to the workout with swelling and pain, keeping him out on Sunday. Green could experience concussion-like symptoms and have to go backwards in the protocol, also keeping him off of the field this weekend. But those are worst-case scenarios, and having them both as full practice participants is a tremendous step in the right direction.
As fans, we’ll know a bit more with Thursday’s practice report. If Tuitt and Green both continue full participation, that’s a great sign that they’re on their way to being on the gridiron when the Dolphins invade Heinz Field Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Green and Tuitt weren’t the only injuries of note. Anthony Chickillo (ankle), Robert Golden (ankle), Ricardo Mathews (ankle), Vince Williams (shoulder) and DeAngelo Williams (not injury related) all missed Wednesday’s practice.
On the other side of the coin, Sammie Coates (hamstring), Justin Gilbert (shoulder) and Xavier Grimble (ribs) were all full participants on Wednesday.
You can see the full injury report for both Pittsburgh and Miami below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest injury news regarding the upcoming AFC Wild Card game this Sunday.
Pittsburgh
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LB Anthony Chickillo (Ankle)
S Robert Golden (Ankle)
DE Ricardo Mathews (Ankle)
RB DeAngelo Williams (Not Injury Related)
LB Vince Williams (Shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION
WR Sammie Coates (Hamstring)
CB Justin Gilbert (Shoulder)
TE Ladarius Green (Concussion)
TE Xavier Grimble (Ribs)
DE Stephon Tuitt (Knee)
Miami
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
CB Byron Maxwell (Ankle)
S Bacarri Rambo (Chest)
QB Ryan Tannehill (Knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
LB Jelani Jenkins (Knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION
CB Tony Lippett (Thigh)
C Kraig Urbik (Knee)