PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's a Wednesday, so Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not practice. It's typically his day off, but listed today not as a coach's decision, but for his pectoral injury.
Roethlisberger said before practice he felt 'not bad' and there is no indication he won't play.
Reciever JuJu Smith-Schuster did not practice with his ribs injury, defensive lineman Carlos Davis missed with his knee injury and tackle Chukwuma Okorafor missed due to his concussion.
LB TJ Watt (groin), LB Alex Highsmith (groin), WR Diontae Johnson (knee) and offensive lineman Rashaad Coward (ankle) all were able to go through a limited practice. Watt, Highsmith and Johnson missed last week. Coward suffered an injury in practice Wednesday.
Going through a first practice of the regular season, Zach Banner. The tackle began his 21-day ramp up to try and return from injured reserve.
Tackle Dan Moore said Banner is always around, but good to get him in drills on the field.
"Zach is always happy," Moore said. "He's always an uplifting guy. Whether he's out there or not, he's going to be Zach."
With Pouncey gone, Banner has taken over as host of weekly get-togethers for the offensive line. He's also taken over some of the leadership.
"Vocally, just by example, by the way he works," Moore said of how Banner leads. "He tries to set a good example for me and Kendrick (Green) being young guys. He takes us under his wing. He's been good with that for sure."
