PITTSBURGH — Four members of the Pittsburgh Steelers did not practice on Thursday as the team continued its preparations to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers already ruled out strong safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) against the Seahawks while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (rest) were also absent from practice.
Meanwhile, outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring), offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (illness) and outside linebacker T.J. Watt (rest) returned to practice in full.
DT Derrick Harmon
Harmon suffered a knee injury during the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 21. He was diagnosed with a right MCL sprain, and has yet to return to practice since. Harmon missed the team’s Week 1 game against the New York Jets, and has already been ruled out for Week 2. Harmon is expected to ramp up his physical activity toward a return this week.
Nick Herbig
Herbig left the Steelers’ second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a hamstring injury. He returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he is hopeful that Herbig will play in Week 2.
SS DeShon Elliott
Elliott suffered a knee injury during the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the New York Jets. He did not return to the game and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain. Elliott has already been ruled out for Week 2.
CB Joey Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the New York Jets. Tomlin said he was held out as a precaution, and said he’s hopeful that Porter will be able to play in Week 2, but Porter did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
LB Malik Harrison
Harrison suffered a knee injury against the New York Jets in Week 1. He was placed on the injured reserve list on Wednesday, Sept. 10 and by rule must remain there until Week 7.
QB Skylar Thompson
Thompson suffered a hamstring injury in practice leading up to the Steelers’ Week 1 game against the New York Jets, while playing the role of Justin Fields on the Steelers’ scout team offense. He was dressed against the Jets as the emergency third quarterback, but was placed on the injured reserve list on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and by rule must remain there until Week 7.
CB Cory Trice
Trice suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s Friday Night Lights practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 1. He returned to practice in a limited capacity before being placed on the injured reserve list on Aug. 26. By rule, Trice must spend at least four weeks on the injured reserve list. He is eligible to return in Week 6, after the Steelers’ bye, against the Cleveland Browns. Trice will count as one of the team’s eight IR-return designations, whether he actually returns or not.
CB Donte Kent...