The outlook for the beleaguered situation on the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line improved slightly Wednesday with the news that veteran Stefen Wisniewski returned to practice.

Wisniewski remains on the injured reserve list because of a pectoral injury, but his return to the field opens a 21-day window during which he can be activated to the 53-man roster.

A graduate of Central Catholic and Penn State, Wisniewski was signed over the offseason and is serving as the primary backup at all three interior line positions. A 10-year NFL veteran and two-time Super Bowl champion, Wisniewski started the Steelers’ season opener but left that victory against the New York Giants after being injured.

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The Steelers’ longtime starters at right guard (David DeCastro, abdomen) and center (Maurkice Pouncey, foot) left Sunday’s game because of injury. Their status for this Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns is not yet clear. Neither practiced Wednesday, but for Pouncey, that is a regular weekly day off. It would not be atypical for the Steelers to rest DeCastro, either, especially if he was working through injury.

If DeCastro or Pouncey can’t play and Wisniewski also isn’t ready, rookie Kevin Dotson would start at guard, and/or first-year J.C. Hassenauer would start at center.

“Their ability this week will be determined by the quality of their practice and their practice availability specifically,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday of DeCastro and Pouncey.

The NFL altered its injured reserve rules this season because of a new collective bargaining agreement and on a temporary basis out of coronavirus concerns.

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