During the pandemic-affected 2020 NFL season, “illness” takes on a whole new connotation in regards to missed practice. Chase Claypool became the latest player to be absent from a Pittsburgh Steelers practice for such a reason.

But the best news to come out of the Steelers’ league-mandated injury report was that kicker Chris Boswell was back.

Claypool, the Steelers’ stellar rookie wide receiver, had an “illness” designation for why he did not practice Thursday. That in no way signifies Claypool has come up positive in daily covid-19 testing, though; if he had, the Steelers would be required to place him on the NFL’s reserve/covid-19 list. There is no indication yet that Claypool could be unavailable for Sunday night’s game at the Buffalo Bills.

Veteran defensive lineman Chris Wormley, for example, missed Wednesday’s practice because of illness but was back Thursday.

Two other Steelers starters missed a second consecutive practice Thursday: cornerback Joe Haden (concussion) and linebacker Robert Spillane (knee). Spillane is expected to miss Sunday’s game. Haden is progressing through league-mandated concussion protocol.

The team’s other starting outside cornerback, Steven Nelson, practiced fully for the second consecutive day, an indication he will return to the lineup after a one-game absence because of a knee injury.

Boswell missed Monday’s loss to Washington because of a hip injury that he apparently suffered late last week. Matthew Wright made his NFL debut Monday after being promoted from the practice squad, but the Steelers were hesitant to trust Wright for what would have been a go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter.

Boswell did not practice Wednesday.

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