Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Alex Highsmith was a full participant in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice on Thursday for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2.
Highsmith, who head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday is expected to return against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, but practiced in full on Thursday, usually the final step in a player’s return from injury.
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who was limited in practice on Wednesday by an illness, was also upgraded to a full participant on Thursday.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) and wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) did not practice for the second straight session and appear to be trending toward missing Sunday’s AFC North opener.
Austin suffered a shoulder injury during the Steelers’ Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. He was transported from Croke Park to a local hospital for testing and returned to Pittsburgh with the team. He has yet to return to practice, and is expected to miss some time with the injury.
Ramsey injured his hamstring during the Steelers’ Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. He was able to return to the game, but is expected to miss some time due to the injury. He has yet to return to practice, outside of stretching with the team.
Warren suffered a knee injury in Week 3 that limited him in practice in the week leading up to the team’s Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings. He was listed as questionable and was eventually made inactive for that game.
Warren is expected to return in Week 6, and was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Porter Jr. suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the New York Jets. Tomlin said he was held out as a precaution, but Porter missed the team’s Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks and Week 3 game against the New England Patriots. Porter returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Sept. 24, but still missed the Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland.
He is expected to return for Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns and was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Highsmith was limited in practice on Friday, Sept. 12 — the first sign that there was a problem with his left ankle. He tried to play in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, but left the game in the first half and did not return.
Highsmith is expected to avoid injured reserve, but did not play in Week 3 or Week 4. He is expected to return in Week 6 against the Browns and was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, Oct. 8 and a full participant on Thursday, Oct. 9.
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