Maurkice Pouncey returns to Steelers practice, but David DeCastro does not
The news was half-good Thursday for the Pittsburgh Steelers in regard to the health of their veteran offensive linemen.
Center Maurkice Pouncey was a full practice participant but guard David DeCastro did not participate at all, four days after each was forced out of a win against the Philadelphia Eagles. DeCastro suffered an abdominal injury during the first half of that game and Pouncey had a football injury that afflicted him late in the contest.
The other starter who did not finish that game, receiver Diontae Johnson, was a limited practice participant Thursday because of a back injury.
Among others who were missed practice time because of injury Wednesday, tight end Eric Ebron (hand), edge defender T.J. Watt (shoulder) and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) all practiced fully and appear on track to play in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Smith-Schuster regularly sits out Wednesday practice sessions, and Watt was a limited participant this Wednesday.
Core special teams players Derek Watt and Marcus Allen practiced fully for the second consecutive day, indicating each will play Sunday after missing the Philadelphia game. Watt, a fullback, suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 3 contest. Allen, a hybrid linebacker, has a foot ailment.
If DeCastro cannot play, rookie fourth-round pick Kevin Dotson will make his second career start.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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