Steelers Injury Report: Ryan Shazier and Shamarko Thomas don't practice

Ryan Shazier could make a dramatic return to the Steelers' lineup this week, but it would be a long shot. The team's first round draft pick did not practice Wednesday and is just starting to make his way back to the practice field, let alone the game field on Sundays.

Joining Shazier on the sideline Wednesday was second year safety Shamarko Thomas, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mike Tomlin stated in his weekly press conference that the injury wasn't as serious as once thought, and Thomas could participate in practice this week leading up to the game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday.

Other notable players to miss practice Wednesday were Brett Keisel, Mike Mitchell, Troy Polamalu and Heath Miller, who were all given a veterans day off. Ike Taylor (broken arm) also did not practice.

The Steelers still remain an extremely healthy football team through 5 weeks of NFL actions despite the injuries to players like Taylor, Shazier and Jarvis Jones.

In other injury news, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Jones had his hard cast removed from his surgically repaired wrist. Jones was placed on the IR/designated to return list after injuring his wrist in the win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.