Steelers Injury Report: Hargrave not concussed, Foster concussed and Dupree’s return

During the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, second year nose tackle Javon Hargrave left the game and was reportedly being evaluated for a possible concussion.

It was later in the game the team announced Hargrave indeed had a concussion, and was out for the game.

This wasn’t Hargrave’s first concussion, he had one diagnosed in 2016 and missed a regular season game because of it, but you can imagine the surprise of the media when Hargrave told reporters Monday he didn’t have a concussion at all.

"I didn't have a concussion yesterday," Hargrave told Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "They just got me in the protocol."

While this might have the organization and training staff shaking their heads, the story got even better when Ramon Foster announced he missed practice, and the game Sunday, due to a concussion of his own — this one actually diagnosed properly. Fortunately for Foster, he has made it through the NFL’s strict concussion protocol.

"I'm out (of protocol) and good," Foster said Monday. "I had a little ding in the (Aug. 11) Giants game. It was delayed, so I ended up taking care of it. I saw the doctors and we're taking care of it and moving forward."

Foster, and hopefully Hargrave too, being ready to go for the upcoming preseason game will be big considering it is considered the last time the starters see the field in preparation for the regular season. One player who has yet to play in the preseason, and is looking to make his debut this Saturday, is Bud Dupree.

Dupree, who started the 2016 season on injured reserve after a groin injury which failed to heal on it’s own and required surgery, stated his time off is simply precautionary.

"I just to make sure I am all good," said Dupree. "Just missing all those games last year is something I don't want to go through again."

Dupree also suggested he hopes to practice both Wednesday and Thursday, the only two workouts of the week for the Steelers before the game Saturday.

While talking about injuries, both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cameron Sutton hope to make their way onto the Heinz Field turf Saturday. Smith-Schuster would be coming back from a bone bruise in his knee, while Sutton has had a lingering hamstring injury the majority of training camp.

"Just seeing how it is going throughout the week and, if all goes well, be ready Saturday," Sutton said.

"I'm just ready for the doctors to clear me to play," Smith-Schuster said. "For me, it's more of a mental thing, that I have to be out there and play. But at the same time, (the training personnel) know their work, they specialize in this, so whatever they say goes, you know?"

With all this crazy injury news, stick to BTSC for the latest on the black and gold injury report as they make their way to NFL preseason Week 3.