The Steelers got the kind of update they were hoping for on DeShon Elliott, and they still have a decision to make with Derrick Harmon.
Elliott was back to full participation in practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday with an ankle issue. That’s a strong sign he should be ready for Sunday night’s game in Cincinnati, barring any setbacks. For Pittsburgh, that’s one less concern heading into a division matchup.
The timing matters because Elliott had only just returned after missing time with a knee injury. Even before the ankle popped up, there were already questions around his comeback. Seeing him go full on Thursday was a welcome development.
Harmon, though, remains in a different spot. He was limited again Thursday with a foot injury, marking a second straight day of limited work. His return is still moving in the right direction, but the Steelers have no reason to push him before he’s ready.
The official injury report also leaves open another layer of logistics for Harmon. Even if he looks good enough on the field, Pittsburgh would still need to make a roster move before he can suit up, since he doesn’t currently have a spot on the 53-man roster.
That makes his status more complicated than Elliott’s. The Steelers would love to add another body to the rotation up front, especially with Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward already carrying plenty of the load inside. Earlier injuries on the defensive line have made the depth situation tighter, and Harmon would help if he’s available.
But there’s no reason to force the issue just because Cincinnati is next. The foot injury, the roster wrinkle, and the importance of getting it right all point the same way: Pittsburgh can afford to be patient.
Elsewhere on the report, Ben Skowronek was a full participant for a second straight day with his calf injury, Brandin Echols was full again with a hamstring issue, and Doneiko Slaughter also practiced fully after dealing with a hamstring injury.
Cameron Heyward and Darnell Washington were listed with NIR/rest and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. T.J. Watt, also listed with NIR/rest, did not practice Wednesday but was limited Thursday.
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That decision leaves the team leaning on injured receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson to get back in the mix, while also asking cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean, and Daylen Everette to keep holding up on the back end. If either group slips, the Steelers may find out quickly how thin the margin is when a contender decides not to patch its weakest spots. [Read more 🡒]