The Steelers — with the major exception of All-Pro linebacker TJ Watt — seem to be fairly healthy heading into Sunday’s game with rival New England at Acrisure Stadium.
All of the teams active players that missed some time this week will play Sunday.
Running back Najee Harris (foot), cornerback Levi Wallace (ankle) and linebacker Robert Spillane (eye) all were again able to have full practice participaton Friday during the team’s final practice of the week. They have all had their injury designations removed and will play.
Center Mason Cole, who was limited Thursday and thought to be the most likely to have his availability impacted, also was able to go at full capacity following an ankle injury that briefly knocked him out of Sunday’s game. He is also expected to play this week.
Speaking of Watt…
There was an encouraging sign Friday, when TJ Watt was spotted running during the team’s practice.
Watt is currently on injured reserve while rehabbing a partially torn pectoral muscle. Earlier in the week, he was on the field with a large wrap on his chest and shoulder. But that wasn’t the case Friday.
The reigning NFL defensive player of the year working out despite a serious injury wasn’t a surprise to his teammates, it seemed.
“That’s not going to change,” cornerback Cam Sutton sad. “His legs still work. He’s still gong to do everything he can. Outside of that pec, he’s gong to do it. A true warrior, man.”
Not Pickens’ first encounter with BB
For Steelers rookie receiver George Pickens, this will be his first time playing against the Patriots.
But the former Georgia wideout has already met Bill Belichick, and didn’t need game film this week to know what New England is all about.
“It’s really me watching football over the years,” he said. “The thing about the Patriots, they’re always going to be disciplined. Bill Belichick is their head coach. Coach (Kirby) Smart used to have him come to the facility and give us his own tips.”
Pickens, in his regular season debut, made just one catch for three yards in Sunday’s win over Cincinnat. He admitted that he had some frustrations with himself.
"But we won, so I wasn't down on myself,” he said.
That said, the Steelers may need to take more shots down the field to maximize his potential. He, however, isn’t pushing for too much change. At least not yet.
“We should just stay the course,” he said. “When you get to thinking 'oh, we need to change or do this,' that's when things get worse."
All my ex’s live in… Boston?
Gunner Olszewski is ready to face his ‘ex,’ the team that, he says, ‘didn’t want him, in New England.
The All-Pro return man spoke with the media Friday as he gets ready to face the Patriots, which did not tender him a contract after last season.