So much for the lack of “injury damage” that coach Mike Tomlin referred to in the wake of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season opener.
Tuesday, Tomlin indicated there were no injury concerns for the Steelers leading up to Sunday’s home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. But by the time the end of Friday’s practice rolled around, there were a pair of prominent defensive starters whose playing status was in doubt.
Inside linebacker Devin Bush and cornerback Joe Haden were listed on the injury report as questionable to play Sunday because of respective groin injuries.
Neither had been listed on the injury report following practice Wednesday and Thursday. They were termed “limited” Friday, as was No. 3 tight end Zach Gentry. Gentry has an ankle ailment and also is listed as questionable.
Luckily for the Steelers, one of the two tight ends above Gentry on the depth chart, veteran Eric Ebron, will play against the Raiders after he practiced fully Friday. Gentry sat out Thursday’s practice because of a hamstring injury.
The only player ruled out for Sunday is reserve defensive lineman Carlos Davis, who has been dealing with a knee injury all week.
Inside linebacker Robert Spillane was cleared to play against the Raiders after he was a late scratch for last week’s game at the Buffalo Bills upon suffering a shin injury during warmups.
Spillane would take Bush’s place as a starting inside linebacker if Bush cannot play. Haden would be replaced by second-year cornerback James Pierre.
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