Steelers’ Artie Burns expects to start vs. Chargers in place of injured Steve Nelson

Artie Burns said he “pretty much got all the (first-team) reps” at Pittsburgh Steelers practice this week, and he expects to start at outside cornerback during Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Burns has been practicing ahead of Steve Nelson — the usual starter opposite Joe Haden — because Nelson suffered a groin injury during last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Burns said Nelson practiced more Friday than he did Wednesday and Thursday; Nelson was listed as limited on the official injury report both prior days.

“He came back today, but he (only) got a couple reps today (in an attempt to) keep him as healthy as possible,” Burns said.

On the league-mandated injury report, Nelson is officially listed as questionable to play Sunday.

“I don’t know much about how Steve’s (injury) situation is right now,” Burns said, “but (Burns starting) is what we’re looking at right now.”

Ugh, Artie Burns, what's going on here... #Steelers pic.twitter.com/MBIgn3uf1H

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) November 10, 2018

A former first-round pick, Burns lost his starting job almost a year ago to the day before Sunday’s scheduled game when he had a poor outing against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 14, 2018. Burns did start last December’s game against New England but was quickly replaced.

Burns has played only two defensive snaps this season, though he has become a core special teams player.

This past spring, the Steelers declined to exercise the fifth-year contract option on Burns. He is due for unrestricted free agency this coming spring.

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