Updated on Thursday: Safety DeShon Elliott has been upgraded and doesn't have a game status designation. Elliott is expected to play tonight. Elliott didn't make the trip to Cincinnati with the team on Wednesday, but arrived in Cincinnati on Thursday.
Wednesday Report:
The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Thursday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium, getting in one final practice before departing.
While Coach Mike Tomlin left the window open for him at the start of the week, receiver Calvin Austin III has been ruled out due to the shoulder injury he suffered against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. Austin also missed last week's game against the Cleveland Browns.
Special teams captain Miles Killebrew was also ruled out earlier this week after suffering a 'significant' knee injury against the Browns.
With Killebrew out, it will take a multitude of players to step up in his place, including a mix of veterans and young players.
"Like we talk about other guys doing it, it's by committee," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "A lot of guys have got to step up. (Ben) Skowronek, Connor (Heyward), Carson Bruener, Jack Sawyer, James Pierre.
"Those are just a few, but I feel like they all play a vital role, and we need all of them to just keep playing at high levels."
One player who defied the odds last week to play against the Browns was cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey missed practice two days leading into the Cleveland game with a hamstring injury and still played.
Ramsey had to clear all the medical obstacles before playing, and much of the reason he was back on the field was his dedication to his treatment.
"We're not going to play a player unless the doctor says he's able to play," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "Guys can lobby all they want, do all the stuff they want. I don't make that choice, the doctors make that choice.
"But going into it wasn't expecting him. As it got a little bit closer there was a chance that, hey, he might have a chance. It's like we do with a lot guys, we leave the light on.
"We had to go ahead with our planning as if he wasn't going to be there and having him there was a bonus."
His presence, especially in key AFC North games against the Browns last week and the Bengals this week, is something that is beyond valuable for the defense.
"I don't think there was any doubt from anybody out there that he was an outstanding football player, and so I think he's just showing what he has been," said Austin. "Around the League he's a standout performer. There is a reason he was a top 5 pick or whatever he was. He shows that in his play, in his preparation, all the things that you need from what we feel is a really good player."
Cameron Heyward knew the type of player Ramsey was before he was acquired by the Steelers via a trade with the Miami Dolphins, but that didn't keep him from taking notice of Ramsey's drive to play last week.
"Jalen prepares the right way," said Heyward. "He is a competitor on the field. And that hungriness and aggressiveness towards everything he does is on display for us."
This will mark the second straight week the Steelers have a full complement of players available on defense, and being a healthy unit is having an impact on the overall play.
"We're attacking things," said Austin. "We had some injuries early in the year and we are starting to get everybody back. I think we're healthy and starting to gel. We added a lot of new pieces in the offseason, and you start playing games early and we needed some time probably to just get out there and gel a little bit.
"I think we're starting to play together and understand each other. That's why we're playing better. I know and I knew we had good players, now we're starting to play better."
Linebacker Malik Harrison, who returned to practice this week but remains on the Reserve/Injured, Designated for Return list, is questionable, as is safety DeShon Elliott for personal reasons. Elliott did not travel with the team to Cincinnati on Wednesday.
The full injury and status report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 7
Game Status
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Shoulder) - Out
No. 28 S Miles Killebrew (Knee) - Out
* No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Questionable
Wednesday, October 15
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (NIR - Resting Vet/Personal) - DNP
No. 28 S Miles Killebrew (Knee) - DNP
* No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Limited
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Tuesday, October 14
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (NIR - Resting Vet) - Limited
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 28 S Miles Killebrew (Knee) - DNP
* No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Limited
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Monday, October 13
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 28 S Miles Killebrew (Knee) - DNP
* No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Limited
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
** Monday's Injury Report is an estimate. The team did not practice, but will hold a walk-thru.
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 7
Game Status
No. 88 TE Mike Gesicki (Pectoral) - Out
No. 91 DE Trey Hendrickson (Hip) - Questionable
No. 87 TE Tanner Hudson (Concussion) - Out
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Ribs) - Questionable
No. 62 G Lucas Patrick (Calf) - Limited
Wednesday, October 15
No. 63 G Dylan Fairchild (Knee) - Full
No. 88 TE Mike Gesicki (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 91 DE Trey Hendrickson (Hip) - DNP
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 87 TE Tanner Hudson (Concussion) - DNP
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Ribs) - Limited
No. 71 OT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Full
No. 62 G Lucas Patrick (Calf) - Full
No. 97 DE Shemar Stewart (Ankle) - Full
Tuesday, October 14
No. 63 G Dylan Fairchild (Knee) - Full
No. 88 TE Mike Gesicki (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 91 DE Trey Hendrickson (Hip) - DNP
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 87 TE Tanner Hudson (Concussion) - DNP
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Ribs) - DNP
No. 71 OT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Full
No. 62 G Lucas Patrick (Calf) - Full
No. 97 DE Shemar Stewart (Ankle) - Full
Monday, October 13
No. 63 G Dylan Fairchild (Knee) - Full
No. 88 TE Mike Gesicki (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 91 DE Trey Hendrickson (Hip) - DNP
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 87 TE Tanner Hudson (Concussion) - DNP
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Ribs) - DNP
No. 71 OT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Full
No. 62 G Lucas Patrick (Calf) - Full
No. 97 DE Shemar Stewart (Ankle) - Full
** The Bengals did not practice on Monday, therefore this report is an estimation of practice participation.
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