PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Even on the day where the Steelers put tight end Darnell Washington on injured reserve with a broken arm, the other injury news from practice Wednesday appeared promising.
While only limited participation, the Steelers did have the following back on the field.
· WR Calvin Austin (hamstring)
· CB Brandin Echols (groin)
· CB James Pierre (calf)
· LB Malik Harrison (knee)
· G Isaac Seumalo (triceps)
· OLB TJ Watt (lung)
It sounded good from Alex Highsmith’s perspective regarding Watt’s participation.
“It’s going to be awesome for us,” Highsmith said. “He’s our captain. He’s our leader. To have him back is definitely going to be awesome. It’s been awesome having him back at practice this week. You see the joy in him because he truly loves this game. I know it’s been killing him to be out these past few weeks. Having him back would definitely be awesome for us.”
In need of a deep threat, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he would be good to have Austin back.
“Praying and doing everything I can to work my way back and just be ready to go if my number is called,” Austin said.
Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo said on the Fan Morning Show, outside of Watt, Brandin Echols would be the returner who would make the most impact with his ability to set the rest of the secondary playing in the slot.
“I was good,” Echols said. “Did all the necessary things to make sure I would just be out for a week.”
Three other players were full participants who had dealt with injury—QB Aaron Rodgers (wrist), WR Ben Skowronek (hand) and long-snapper Christian Kuntz (knee).