Steelers notes: Montravius Adams says he’s ready to replace injured Larry Ogunjobi

The timing could work out splendidly in regards to making a bad situation better for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive tackle Montravius Adams has been practicing for two weeks as he ramps up for a return from a meniscus injury in his left knee. Meanwhile, starting defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was ruled out Friday for Sunday’s game at the Philadelphia Eagles because of a groin injury.

“I’m good enough to play,” Adams declared after Friday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

“I put it on display these last couple weeks at practice.”

An eight-year veteran who has been with the Steelers since 2021, Adams is the Steelers’ most pure nose tackle. He was their third starting defensive lineman behind Ogunjobi and Cameron Heyward before rookie second-round pick Keeanu Benton surpassed him on the depth chart midway through last season.

But Adams remains an experienced versatile piece for a D-line that is dealing with the loss of one its top three for the first time this season. Adams has not played since Oct. 20 against the New York Jets.

During the rehab, Adams said the medical staff addressed another chronic injury he’s dealt with in his knee.

“I feel even better than (before the meniscus injury),” said Adams, who officially was listed as questionable to play in Philadelphia on Friday’s status report.

In addition to the return of Adams — for which a roster move would be necessitated to create space — veteran Dean Lowry is also likely to earn a game-day activation after he did not play last week in a win against the Cleveland Browns.

Another possible option for the defensive line against the Eagles is veteran Breiden Fehoko, who is on the practice squad.

“We have a lot of guys who are tremendously talented,” Adams said. “(General manager Omar Khan) and (coach Mike Tomlin) did a great job of getting us (depth).”

No Pickens

The Steelers made it official Friday that No. 1 receiver George Pickens will miss a second consecutive game because of a hamstring injury, Pickens did not practice this week after he missed the Cleveland game — the first game he missed as a pro.

Pickens suffered the injury late last week in practice.

Scotty Miller was activated to take his place on game day.

Also Friday, reserve offensive lineman Calvin Anderson was added to the injury report. He apparently suffered a groin injury during practice.

No sacks, no problem

T.J. Watt has made himself a perennial NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate by way of collecting sacks. But in Sunday’s high-profile game against one of the league’s best teams, chances to collect sacks could be sparse.

Philadelphia has fewer pass attempts than any team in the NFL: 328, or 25.2 per game. The Eagles rely on running back Saquon Barkley and lead the league in rushing. That could mean Watt might have to make an impact more in run defense than as a pass rusher.

That’s OK by him.

“I’m a football player at the end of the day,” Watt said. “We want to win the game. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the pass rush or run defense, any way we can get a win, I am willing to do that.”

Despite the relative lack of pass attempts, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts still is ripe to be sacked. The Eagles rank 30th in the NFL in sacks allowed rate, 9.9% of their passes.