Pittsburgh Steelers: Wednesday injury report ahead of AFC North clash with Cleveland Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a pivotal stretch, beginning with this weekend’s Week 11 showdown with the Cleveland Browns.

Mike Tomlin and company are coming off a huge win against the Green Bay Packers, while the Browns won in epic fashion over the Baltimore Ravens. As of now, both teams are in the playoffs inside a tight AFC, but it’s going to be a race to the finish.

A victory would go a long way towards securing an eventual playoff berth for both squads. Regardless, there’s no good vibes between these squads, as they’re longtime rivals, and the Steelers were victorious when the faced earlier in 2023.

Who will be out there for Pittsburgh, and who won’t be? We got a better idea of that with this Wednesday’s injury report for the Steelers. Check it out.

Pittsburgh Steelers Wednesday injury report ahead of Week 11:

WR Diontae Johnson (thumb) – DNP
CB Patrick Peterson (not injury related – resting) – DNP
S Keanu Neal (rib) – DNP
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) – DNP
DT Montravius Adams (ankle) – DNP
OG Isaac Seumalo (not injury related – resting) – DNP
TE Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) – Limited
DT Cameron Heyward (groin) – DNP

Steelers announce Pat Freiermuth’s return to practice

Meanwhile, The Steelers had Pat Freiermuth return to practice today, but as of now, the tight end still is on injured reserve.

The team made the announcement, Wednesday morning, before the start of Steelers practice. In the meantime, the team also said it had signed defensive tackle Breiden Fehokoand linebacker Tyler Murray to the practice squad.

You’ll have to forgive the Steelers for being a bit cautious with Freiermuth, their third-year tight end from Penn State. He strained his hamstring, Oct. 1, during a loss at the Houston Texans. At the time, the injury wasn’t serious enough to put Freiermuth on injured reserve. However, Freiermuth returned to practice and aggravated the hamstring injury. That’s when the Steelers needed to place him on IR, meaning he had to miss a minimum of four games. That return window now is open.

Early Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pittsburgh planned to open the 21-day window for Freiermuth’s return to the active roster. It was confirmed when the Steelers said he’d practice today. If he’s able to play against the Browns this Sunday, the Steelers likely will announce his activation, Saturday.

Through the first four games this season, Freiermuth had caught eight passes for 53 yards. The Steelers and quarterback Kenny Pickett have struggled all seasons to get their passing game off the ground. It’s currently averaging roughly 165 yards a game over the last three contests. But the Steelers still are winning, even if they’ve been outgained by each opponent in every game this season.

An established tight end would help Pickett on third down so that the offense can keep moving the chains. A year ago, Freiermuth was third on the team in receiving, with 63 catches for 732 yards.

On3’s Suzanne Haliburton contributed to this article.