Mike Hilton returns to Steelers practice, Ulysees Gilbert sits out

Two of the players the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking at to help replace the production of Devin Bush missed at least part of Thursday’s practice.

Nickel cornerback Mike Hilton practiced Thursday for the first time in almost two weeks, but it was in a limited capacity. Reserve inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert did not practice at all because of a previously undisclosed back injury.

The status of each for Sunday’s game at the Baltimore Ravens remains in question.

Gilbert is the top reserve at inside linebacker after the season-ending knee surgery to Bush and the promotion of Robert Spillane to the starting lineup. Gilbert was not listed on the Wednesday injury report, nor did coach Mike Tomlin make any reference to any injury this week.

Hilton suffered a shoulder injury during a win against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 18 and did not play in this past Sunday’s victory against the Tennessee Titans. Tomlin on Tuesday indicated Hilton was close to a return to action, but his absence from Wednesday’s practice combined with the limited nature of his work Thursday paint a less optimistic outlook.

The same can be said for core special teamers Derek Watt and Jordan Dangerfield. Watt, who missed the Titans game because of a hamstring injury, practiced fully Wednesday but was downgraded to “limited” on Thursday, suggesting a negative trend. Dangerfield (quadriceps) has not practiced at all.

It also is appearing increasingly unlikely former Ravens defensive lineman Chris Wormley will face his old teammates. Wormley has missed both practices this week because of a knee injury suffered during the Tennessee game. The Steelers added an extra defensive lineman, Henry Mondeaux, to their active roster late last week.

Five starters who sat out Wednesday’s practice and were listed with injuries all returned Thursday, as expected: center Maukice Pouncey, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, tight end Eric Ebron, receivers Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Cameron Sutton is considered Hilton’s backup, but if Sutton plays the nickel, that leaves him unavailable for dime/hybrid-linebacker/safety roles he has capably filled. Sutton’s usage in those areas could help mitigate the absence of Bush against star Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

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