PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The bye week is great for all players to get away, as tackle Chukwuma Okorafor said you feel like you can have a life again. For another Steelers tackle it provided an opportunity for a quick return.
“It was huge, when you talk about missing one game instead of two, but still getting three weeks of rest,” said left tackle Dan Moore, Junior. “It was huge.”
It was is termed by the Steelers a bonus day of practice and they don’t have to issue a practice report. Moore said he was ‘pretty much’ able to do everything during Monday’s drills, confirming the knee injury was an MCL sprain. He said he might have been considered limited reps in practice, but he took part in every period.
Moore said he will be ready to play on Sunday. Will he return as the starter or has first-round pick Broderick Jones taken that job over with his performance in his lone NFL start?
“This business is unexpected, you really don’t know what happens,” Moore said. “I just show up and do what I’m asked.”
Asked about it a few other times, Moore repeated that he shows up and does what the team asks. He can only control his effort saying he was able to get his feet wet again on Monday. As he phrased it, he got his groove back and is thankful it wasn’t a long-term injury and he hasn’t taken any steps back.
Moore did say he thought Jones looked good. He said Jones played well in the win over the Ravens. Whether Moore starts or not is obviously a question, but he would join the potential return of tight end Pat Freiermuth, receiver Diontae Johnson, running back Anthony McFarland and potentially guard James Daniels.
“When you talk about getting the full, healthy group back,” Moore said. “That’s huge. Obviously key pieces of our offense who really play a big role. It’s always good to have guys like that back.”
Listen to what Mike Tomlin says about players returning and the depth chart live on 93.7 The Fan Tuesday at noon.