The Steelers will head into Monday night's game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium a relatively healthy team.
Only two players didn't practice on Saturday, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was held out as coach's decision, and guard David DeCastro, who after missing practice all week has been ruled out for Monday night. DeCastro has been a mainstay for the Steelers at right guard, starting all 16 games last season and starting 111 of the 112 games he has played in during his first eight seasons.
With DeCastro out, look for Stefen Wisniewski to see his first action with the Steelers. Wisniewski was signed this offseason as an unrestricted free agent to provide depth and compete for the starting spot at left guard. With the offseason was wiped out because of the COVID-19 pandemic, his opportunity to compete for the starting job was curtailed, but he did get a lot of good work at right guard in camp with DeCastro missing time then as well.
"I have learned in my years in the NFL be ready for anything," said Wisniewski during training camp. "I am capable of being a starter in this league. I think I have proven that.
"I have started at left guard for two of the last three Super Bowl champions. Obviously, I am capable of doing that. I have been a backup as well. I am going to come to work every day with a great attitude no matter what my role is. If I am a backup, I am going to be ready to go every day if someone gets hurt and I am in there. I will do my best to teach young guys, help them with the game plan, scheme things up. I have been in a lot of good offenses, I will try to help with schemes, help coach and be ready to go whenever I am called on."
Zach Banner, who earned the starting right tackle spot in a battle with Chuk Okorafor in camp, likes what he has seen so far from Wisniewski.
"When you talk about Stefen as a player, he knows all his X's and O's" said Banner. "Smart guy. Works really hard. He communicates well. I'm excited. We're both excited. It's one of those things where you put your hard hat on and show up to work next to each other."
Receiver Diontae Johnson, who missed practice on Thursday with a foot injury, was a full participant the last two days and should be a full go on Monday night as he isn't on the team's status report for the game.
The full injury report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 1
Game Status
G David DeCastro (Knee) - Out
Saturday, September 12
G David DeCastro (Knee) - DNP
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Coach's Decision) - DNP
WR Diontae Johnson (Foot) - Full
Friday, September 11
G David DeCastro (Knee) - DNP
WR Diontae Johnson (Foot) - Full
Thursday, September 10
G David DeCastro (Knee) - DNP
WR Diontae Johnson (Foot) - DNP
New York Giants Participation/Injury Report, Week 1
Game Status
LB Tae Crowder (Hamstring) - Questionable
WR Golden Tate (Hamstring) - Questionable
TE Levine Toilolo (Hamstring) - Questionable
Saturday, September 12
LB Markus Golden (Illness) - Full
DB Adrian Colbert (Illness) - Full
LB Tae Crowder (Hamstring) - Limited
WR Golden Tate (Hamstring) - Limited
TE Levine Toilolo (Hamstring) - Limited
Friday, September 11
LB Markus Golden (Illness) - Full
DB Adrian Colbert (Illness) - Full
LB Tae Crowder (Hamstring) - Limited
WR Golden Tate (Hamstring) - Limited
TE Levine Toilolo (Hamstring) - Limited
Thursday, September 10
LB Markus Golden (Illness) - DNP
DB Adrian Colbert (Illness) - Limited
LB Tae Crowder (Hamstring) - Limited
WR Golden Tate (Hamstring) - Limited
TE Levine Toilolo (Hamstring) - Limited
