The starting quarterback officially has been cleared, but the status of three other Pittsburgh Steelers starters remains up in the air for Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Safety Terrell Edmunds, receiver Diontae Johnson and inside linebacker Myles Jack were given questionable designations on Thursday’s final injury report of the week.
Jack practiced fully Thursday, the strongest evidence yet he might return from a one-game absence because of a groin injury. But Johnson (toe) and Edmunds (hamstring) sat out Thursday’s practice.
Afterward, Johnson termed his toe injury “nothing major.”
“I’m good,” Johnson said. “I’ll be out there (at Friday’s practice). They just gave me a few days off to let it rest.”
The rare Saturday kickoff, in part, contributed to an atypical work week for the Steelers, who will have a light practice Friday. The day prior to games, the team often updates the status of players on its injury reports.
Coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday downplayed the ailments afflicting Johnson, Edmunds and others.
In addition to starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who was cleared following a full week of practice after he missed this past Sunday’s win at the Carolina Panthers because of a concussion, all of the other players on the Steelers’ injury report were given tacit official confirmation they will play against the Raiders.
That list includes tight end Pat Freiermuth (foot), running back Najee Harris (hip), fullback Derek Watt (ankle) and reserve cornerback Josh Jackson (ankle) — the latter despite not practicing Thursday. Receiver George Pickens missed Thursday’s practice because of illness, and backup offensive lineman J.C Hassenauer (personal) and veteran starting defensive linemen Cameron Heyward (rest) and Larry Ogunjobi (rest) sat out.
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