One of the leading NFL teams with one of the largest fan bases according to The Sports Geek, the Pittsburgh Steelers have stayed about as healthy as can be this season. While TJ Watt missed over a month in action, the black and gold have avoided major injuries for the most part. Ahkello Witherspoon, a starter at corner heading into the year, has played in just four games. All in all though, head coach, Mike Tomlin has been lucky in how healthy his guys have been in 2022.
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Thursday's practice injury report, as provided by ESPN's Brooke Pryor, is quite encouraging ahead of a must-win Week 17 contest. The Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens, who may just be without Lamar Jackson at quarterback again. That doesn't mean easy sledding though, as the Steelers lost to the Jackson-less Ravens less than a month ago.
Larry Ogunjobi and Tre Norwood didn’t practice today, while Myles Jack was limited.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 29, 2022
Everyone else listed - Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris, Terrell Edmunds, Pat Freiermuth and Cam Heyward - were full go. pic.twitter.com/z1w7AbDCcL
After attending the late Franco Harris' funeral on Wednesday, Cam Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, and Najee Harris were all back at practice fully. Freiermuth's foot injury is no longer listed on the injury report either, a sign that he's mostly back to full health. Safety Terrell Edmunds, who missed Week 16 with a hamstring injury, was also a full participant after attending Harris' funeral.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
That means he will likely return to action this upcoming weekend against the Ravens. Myles Jack, another Steeler to represent the organization at the service on Wednesday, was limited with his ongoing groin injury. Larry Ogunjobi missed practice for a second consecutive day, as he continues to nurse a toe injury. Tomlin has kept the veteran defensive lineman out of practice in the past few weeks, saving him for the weekend.
Ogunjobi has still been healthy enough to play in the games, and it seems Tomlin is doing the same thing this week. Safety Tre Norwood also missed practice again with a hamstring injury. His role has been diminishing lately, as he's played just over the last eight games. He hasn't even seen the field on defense in five of those contests.
Diontae Johnson's hip injury seems to be getting better as well, as he was a full participant on Thursday after being limited in Wednesday's session. Johnson has picked things up as of late, as he's caught 21 of his 25 targets for 244 yards in his last three games. The fourth-year wideout is still searching for his first touchdown of the season though.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
What are your expectations on Sunday Night Football against the Ravens? Do you have hope that the black and gold will sneak into the playoffs? Who are you most considered about from Thursday's injury report? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!
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