Eric Ebron (illness) misses Steelers practice, Anthony McFarland leaves early

As Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin went into the injury-listing portion of his post-practice remarks Thursday, he rattled off about a dozen names.

“It’s the dog days of summer,” Tomlin said. “That’s just how it is.”

Fortunately for the Steelers, Tomlin did not indicate any of the injuries are serious. He termed two of the players who did not practice at all — receiver Ryan Switzer and running back Kerrith Whyte — as “day to day.” Tight end Eric Ebron’s absence was because of illness.

Rookie running back Anthony McFarland participated early on but was being evaluated as part of concussion protocol after practice, Tomlin said. According to the official pool report, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva went down briefly with what appeared to be a left knee injury but later returned to practice.

Eric Ebron (illness), Anthony McFarland (concussion protocol) did not practice Thursday for the Steelers.

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 27, 2020

Starting safety Terrell Edmunds (brace on left knee) was active early in practice but didn’t practice fully nor take part in team drills, per the pool report.

Tomlin said fullback Derek Watt has been limited in practice in recent days but is targeted to be full-go for the season opener. Watt was able to get some reps in the practice-ending seven-on-seven drill.

Among others who Tomlin confirmed were limited in practice Thursday but are “working their way back to us” were defensive lineman Chris Wormley, running back Wendell Smallwood, receivers Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie guard Kevin Dotson.

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