The injury news was mixed from the Pittsburgh Steelers first practice of the week.
Receiver Diontae Johnson was a full practice participant Wednesday, an encouraging sign after he missed last week’s game because of a back injury. Barring a setback, Johnson should be in line to play in Sunday’s AFC showdown at the Tennessee Titans.
Another important starter on offense who is attempting to return after missing a game, guard David DeCastro, was a limited participant at practice. DeCastro suffered an abdomen injury during a game two weeks ago.
Slot cornerback Mike Hilton (shoulder) and fullback/special-teamer Derek Watt (hamstring) sat out practice after suffering or re-aggravating injuries during a win Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Players not practicing Wed for Steelers: Smith-Schuster (knee), Hilton (shoulder), D. Watt (hamstring), Pouncey (foot). Roethlisberger & Tuitt got days off. DeCastro (ab strain) was limited and D. Johnson (back) was full participant
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 21, 2020
Four other players were given their regular weekly day off: quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and center Maurkice Pouncey. It should be noted, though, Smith-Schuster (knee) and Pouncey (foot) are listed as having injuries.
Smith-Schuster has played through his ailment all season, but Pouncey’s foot has been an issue that prevented him from finishing each of the past two games. Neither is expected to be at risk of missing Sunday’s matchup of undefeated teams in Nashville.
Despite announcing he is undergoing season-ending ACL surgery, the Steelers have yet to formally place linebacker Devin Bush on injured reserve.
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