Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden suffered an undisclosed injury early during practice Wednesday, but he downplayed the severity.
Haden left the session early on a cart, according to Steelers.com, and will not play in Friday’s preseason opener.
On Wednesday night, Haden tweeted thanks to fans for their thoughts and prayers and said he’ll be “just fine.”
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! Ima be just fine??
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) August 8, 2019
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Haden was suffering from “a minor ankle injury.”
“Looks like major injury averted,” the post to Schefter’s verified Twitter account read.
Steelers’ CB Joe Haden, who was carted off the practice field today, suffered what is being described as “a minor ankle” injury, per source. Looks like major injury averted.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2019
The team did not get into specifics.
“(Haden) is being evaluated for an injury and it will be updated after the game (Friday),” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said.
Per a Steelers spokesman, Joe Haden is “being evaluated for an injury and it will be updated after the game (Friday).”
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 7, 2019
Because the locker room is up a steep hill from Chuck Noll Field, it is not uncommon for players to leave practice by riding one of the motorized golf carts around Saint Vincent. Even healthy players often opt to transport to the locker room on carts.
Haden was seen limping after a team drill. He met with trainers and left in the passenger side of a golf cart.
He made a tackle during an 11-on-11 drill early in practice, and it appeared that players on offense and defense became somewhat entangled during that rep.
As a 10-year veteran, Haden was not expected to play in Friday’s preseason game at Heinz Field even if healthy.
Not a good sight: Joe Haden is being carted off the practice field.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) August 7, 2019
A two-time Pro Bowl pick, Haden started 15 games for the Steelers last season, finishing with 15 tackles, 12 passes defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He missed the Kansas City Chiefs game with a hamstring injury. Haden fractured his femur in 2017 and missed five games.
Haden is in the final year of his contract with the Steelers and told the Tribune-Review on Tuesday that contract extension talks were “going well.”
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