Tight end Zach Gentry returned to full participation at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday and declared himself “ready” for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gentry, typically the Steelers’ No. 2 tight end, did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. His availability could be critical because the status of starting tight end Pat Freiermuth remains unclear while he progresses through NFL concussion protocol. According to the league-mandated injury report, Freiermuth was limited at practice both Wednesday and Thursday.
“I’ll be good,” Gentry told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “I was full go today. I’ll be ready.”
Another player who emerged from this past Sunday’s loss at the Buffalo Bills in concussion protocol, cornerback Levi Wallace, was upgraded Thursday from not practicing to being a partial participant. Wallace’s status also could be key for the Steelers because three other starters in their secondary have not practiced this week: safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) and Cameron Sutton (hamstring).
Witherspoon has missed the past two games. Sutton could not finish the 38-3 defeat at Buffalo after aggravating an injury suffered the week prior.
Starting strong safety Terrell Edmunds missed the past six quarters of game action because of a concussion but has been a full practice participant this week and is on track to return Sunday.
Two other players were upgraded to full practice participants Thursday: receiver Diontae Johnson (hip) had been limited Wednesday, and defensive tackle Montravius Adams (hip) did not practice at all that day.
Starting center Mason Cole (foot) and starting defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (back) each has sat out the entire week of practice thus far.
Friday marks the final practice of the week before a status report is released for Sunday’s game.
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