The Pittsburgh Steelers began their practice week for the AFC North rematch against the Cleveland Browns with left tackle Alejandro Villanueva only being involved on a limited basis with a shoulder injury.
Villanueva was not listed among the injured players Tuesday when coach Mike Tomlin conducted his weekly press conference.
Second-year lineman Chuks Okorafor confirmed that he took first-team reps Wednesday at left tackle in place of Villanueva. Okorafor’s only other start this season came against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 10. He started at right tackle when Matt Feiler was moved inside to left guard while Ramon Foster was out with a concussion.
The only three players who did not practice Wednesday were wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), running back James Conner (shoulder) and cornerback Artie Burns (knee). All three players were inactive Sunday in the Steelers’ 16-10 victory at Cincinnati.
The Steelers announced following practice that Smith-Schuster was cleared by an independent neurological consultant and no longer remains in concussion protocol. Smith-Schuster was knocked out of the first meeting between the Steelers and Browns on Nov. 14 in the second quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit by cornerback Greedy Williams and safety Morgan Burnett.
Conner has missed three of the past four games.
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