Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are rounding into health for their Week 1 game against the New York Jets on Sunday. Here’s the team’s practice report for Wednesday, Sept. 3, and an in-depth update on each of the club’s injured players.
Derrick 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. Head coach Mike Tomlin ruled Harmon out for the team’s Week 1 game against the New York Jets.
Isaiahh Loudermilk is expected to start in place of Harmon, with Daniel Ekuale and Yahya Black also seeing increased roles.
Nick Herbig left the Steelers’ second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a hamstring injury. Mike Tomlin said on Sept. 1 that Herbig is questionable to play in Week 1 against the New York Jets. Herbig returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Jack Sawyer will see an increased role, if Herbig plays or is limited in his reps by the injury. DeMarvin Leal is a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad.
Cory 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.
Donte Kent suffered a right foot/ankle injury in training camp. He returned to practice in a limited capacity before the team’s cut-down to 53 players on Aug. 26. Kent made the initial roster, but was placed on the injured reserve list the next day. He must miss at least four weeks by rule and is eligible to return in Week 6, after the Steelers’ bye, against the Cleveland Browns.
Will Howard suffered a broken right pinky finger, during training camp practice on Aug. 5. He made the team’s initial 53-man roster, but was placed on injured on Aug. 27. He must miss at least four weeks and is eligible to return from IR in Week 6, after the Steelers’ bye.
Christian Kuntz suffered a sternum injury making a tackle in the first half of the team’s second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said he intends to play through the injury, and appears on track to dress in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Injury Updates: Nick Herbig Limited in Return
