Coach Mike Tomlin lauded Ahkello Witherspoon after his first Pittsburgh Steelers start Sunday. Witherspoon will make another start Thursday.

Veteran cornerback Joe Haden will miss a fourth consecutive game because of a foot injury as the team listed him as out for Thursday’s game at the Minnesota Vikings. Witherspoon is expected to again start in Haden’s place.

Also ruled out were offensive lineman B.J. Finney, inside linebacker Robert Spillane and defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs. All but Finney did not play in Sunday’s win against the Baltimore Ravens, but Finney lasted only three plays before suffering a back injury.

Buggs and Spillane are listed as having knee injuries.

John Leglue is expected to make his first NFL start. He was the fifth left guard the Steelers have used this season, and he received praise for his efforts against the Ravens.

The only players ruled out for the Vikings are receiver Adam Thielen (shoulder) and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (ankle). Among three players given a questionable designation is star running back Dalvin Cook. He suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago and initial reports suggested he would miss Thursday’s game. Cook is seventh in the NFL in rushing yards (773) and finished second in the league last season with 1,557.

Note: The Steelers signed punter Drue Chrisman and long snapper Rex Sunahara to their practice squad, giving them backupsat all three specialists spots. Defensive back Linden Stephens and wide receiver Tyler Vaughns were released.

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