Practice-squad lineman Patrick Morris took reps with the first-team offense at center for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, guard David DeCastro confirmed, because starters Ramon Foster and Maurkice Pouncey did not participate because of injury.
Foster did not finish Monday night’s win against the Miami Dolphins because he was in concussion protocol, and Pouncey played through a calf injury. In their place during a light practice Wednesday were B.J. Finney at left guard and Morris at center.
Morris is in his second season on the Steelers’ practice squad after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of TCU. In the unlikely event Foster and Pouncey can’t play in Sunday’s home game against the Indianapolis Colts, it’s not a guarantee Morris would start. Right tackle Matt Feiler could slide over to right guard, and Zach Banner could take Feiler’s spot. Finney, the top backup at all three interior line spots, could start at center.
It’s not unusual, because of their veteran status, for Pouncey and Foster to each take a day off from practice per week even when healthy. Both, however, were listed with their injuries on the Steelers injury report.
Also missing practice because of injury Wednesday were running backs James Conner (shoulder) and Benny Snell (knee) and defensive tackle Dan McCullers (ankle).
Rookie linebacker Ulysees Gilbert, who missed Monday’s game because of a back injury, was limited in practice.
Four weeks after his knee surgery, running back Jaylen Samuels remains on the injury report, but coach Mike Tomlin said Samuels has been cleared to play against the Colts.
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