Saturday update: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey has been upgraded from questionable and is expected to play on Sunday vs. Cleveland.
Friday report:
The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium and will be without receiver Calvin Austin III as he missed practice all week and has been ruled out.
There was good news, though. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who missed practice the last two days with a hamstring injury, returned to practice on Friday as a full participant and is questionable for Sunday.
"We'll see," said Ramsey when asked if he will play.
Coach Mike Tomlin said earlier in the week that Ramsey and Austin were both aggressive in their recovery, and it possibly is paying off.
"I never want to miss any type of playing time," said Ramsey. "I love the game. I love to play for my teammates. So, any chance I get to help, I'll take that opportunity."
Ramsey said the ultimate decision as to whether or not he plays Sunday isn't necessarily in his hands.
"They're the bosses, they're the authority," said Ramsey. "I have to listen to them, just as much as they're open to hearing how I feel and listening to what I've got to say.
"So, we've been having a good conversation, good dialog about how things have been progressing, I would say."
Whether Ramsey plays or not on Sunday, and how much playing time he sees, there is one thing the Steelers have in their favor.
The secondary has depth and guys have stepped up.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. returns to the field this week after missing the last three games. Porter is expected to be available on Sunday.
"The biggest thing that happens is getting up to game speed and getting in a game and guys really moving at a fast pace," said Austin of Porter's adjustment to missing time. "That's always been the thing. It always takes guys a series or two to go, 'Uh-oh, here we go.' Sometimes you practice hard, but it's not the same as a game.
"Sometimes you see guys, it might take them a series or two to get themselves back in the game and get going.
"If he's ready to go, and we feel he's ready to get out there, he'll be all right. Might take him a series or two to just kind of get the game speed down, and he'll be ready."
Strong safety DeShon Elliott returned in Week 4 against the Vikings after missing two games, and his presence is felt, including with communication.
"I think it's big when you have a guy who's been here," said Austin. "DeShon will tell you, his first weeks here last year, he wasn't as comfortable in terms of the communication. As the season went on, he's gotten good with it. He's good with it now.
"It helps everybody. I think when you have somebody back there that's been in the fires in this environment with us, they feel a lot more confident in terms of communicating and executing that communication. There's no second-guessing, anything like that.
"It was good to have him back. Glad he's on the field because I think he's impactful for us."
Among those who have stepped up in the secondary is starting free safety Juan Thornhill, who hasn't missed a beat after signing with the Steelers this offseason after spending the last two seasons with the Browns.
"Juan has done a good job," said Austin. "Sharp, smart player. Really in terms of what we have in our safety position, he's really our range safety, the guy that gives us really good range in the back in terms of range and ball skills, the ability to go after a ball. It's been good.
"I'm sure this game means a lot. To me, I don't ask our guys that, because I want every game to mean a lot, no matter what, because every game means something. We only get 17 opportunities, and each week is kind of precious. You don't want to screw one of them off. We try to treat everything like, 'Hey, this is a big game for all of us, all the time.' We have to approach it as such."
The full injury and status report are below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 6
Game Status
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin (Shoulder) - Out
Friday, October 10
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (Hamstring) - Full
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Illness) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
Thursday, October 9
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Illness) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
Wednesday, October 8
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Illness) - Limited
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Limited
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Limited
Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 6
Game Status
No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Knee) - Out
Friday, October 10
No. 75 T Joel Bitonio (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 83 WR Malachi Corley (Groin) - Full
No. 96 DT Maliek Collins (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 9 S Grant Delpit (Ankle) - Full
No. 95 DE Myles Garrett (Ankle) - Full
No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Knee) - Limited
No. 93 DT Shelby Harris (NIR - Resting Vet/Knee) - Full
No. 72 T KT Leveston (Calf) - Full
No. 85 TE David Njoku (Knee) - Full
No. 55 C Ethan Pocic (Neck) - Full
No. 21 CB Denzel Ward (Hip) - Full
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Illness) - Limited
No. 35 RB Raheim Sanders (Knee/Ankle) - Full
Thursday, October 9
No. 75 T Joel Bitonio (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 83 WR Malachi Corley (Groin) - Limited
No. 96 DT Maliek Collins (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 9 S Grant Delpit (Ankle) - Full
No. 95 DE Myles Garrett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Knee) - Limited
No. 93 DT Shelby Harris (NIR - Resting Vet/Knee) - Limited
No. 72 T KT Leveston (Calf) - Limited
No. 85 TE David Njoku (Knee) - Full
No. 55 C Ethan Pocic (Neck) - Full
No. 21 CB Denzel Ward (Hip) - Full
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Illness) - DNP
No. 35 RB Raheim Sanders (Knee/Ankle) - Full
Wednesday, October 8
No. 75 T Joel Bitonio (NIR - Resting Vet) - Limited
No. 83 WR Malachi Corley (Groin) - Limited
No. 96 DT Maliek Collins (NIR - Resting Vet) - Limited
No. 9 S Grant Delpit (Ankle) - Full
No. 95 DE Myles Garrett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Knee) - Limited
No. 93 DT Shelby Harris (NIR - Resting Vet/Knee) - DNP
No. 72 T KT Leveston (Calf) - Limited
No. 0 CB Greg Newsome II (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 85 TE David Njoku (Knee) - Full
No. 55 C Ethan Pocic (Neck) - Limited
No. 21 CB Denzel Ward (Hip) - Limited
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
