A week of injuries that left the Pittsburgh Steelers with questions about their available personnel for Sunday’s game ended with answers beginning to crystalize.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joined defensive starters Joe Haden and Devin Bush among those who practiced fully Friday and were designated as good to go against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to the Steelers’ league-mandated practice report.
Receiver Diontae Johnson, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith and defensive lineman Carlos Davis, however, were ruled out.
Johnson suffered a knee injury on the final play of last week’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, a game Davis (knee) did not participate in. Those two and Highsmith (groin) sat out the entire week of practice.
Outside linebacker T.J. Watt is questionable because of a groin injury suffered late in the first half of the Raiders game.
A pectoral injury Roethlisberger developed during that game prevented the 18-year veteran from practicing fully until Friday, the final full session of the week. It was during the previous Friday’s practice that cornerback Haden and inside linebacker Bush suffered a groin injuries that kept them out of the Raiders game.
A pair of reserves who did not ractice Thursday made it unscathed through Friday’s session: cornerback Justin Layne (Achilles) and linebacker Marcus Allen (abdomen).
No. 4 wide receiver James Washington figures to take on a more significant role with Johnson out.
With starters Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu on injured reserve, Davis likely would have played a significant role against Cincinnati. After starters Cameron Heyward and Chris Wormley, Isaiah Buggs, recently promoted Henry Mondeaux and rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk will contribute on the defensive line.
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