Pittsburgh Steelers release Wednesday injury report ahead of Titans game

The Pittsburgh Steelers posted their mid-week injury report ahead of Sunday’s AFC clash vs. a talented Tennessee Titans squad.

With massive playoff implications on the line for a team in the thick of the playoff hunt, the official injury report as of Wednesday paints a bleak picture for Steelers’ fans.

It feels like as each week passes, it feels more and more like starting cornerback Joe Haden is dealing with a foot injury far worse than originally expected.

After missing the last four games, Haden once again didn’t take the field for practice on Wednesday. Also not practicing was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder). 

Roethlisberger seems to miss practice most weeks and it’s clear the veteran is battling various injuries, but in typical “Big Ben” fashion, he typically finds a way to play when Sunday rolls around.

On a positive note, the linebacker duo of T.J. Watt (groin) and Alex Highsmith (quadriceps) both practiced on Wednesday but were limited after sustaining injuries against the Vikings.

Inside linebacker Robert Spillane (knee), who missed the Vikings game, and tight end Kevin Rader (hip) were also both limited. 

Defensive linemen Carlos Davis (knee) and Isaiah Buggs (ankle) were both full participants on Wednesday. Davis was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Oct. 27 and activated on Dec. 4. He has played in only one game this season and his return could be a boost to the defensive line that has been hit hard by injuries this year. 

A healthy Davis is going to be even more important after the news that broke on Wednesday morning. While he’s officially listed with an (illness), defensive tackle Montravius Adams was placed on the COVID-19 list in a surprising move just days away from the pivotal Titans’ game.

Here is the full participation/injury report released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday:

Wednesday, December 15
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Pectoral/Right Shoulder) – DNP
CB Joe Haden (Foot) – DNP
DE Montravius Adams (Illness) – DNP
LB Robert Spillane (Knee) – Limited
LB Alex Highsmith (Quadricep) – Limited
TE Kevin Rader (Hip) – Limited
LB T.J. Watt (Groin) – Limited
DT Carlos Davis (Knee) – Full
DE Isaiah Buggs (Ankle) – Full

Offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer (pectoral) returned to practice on Wednesday but remains on the Reserve/Injured List.

The team has a 21-day window to activate him.The team also placed offensive lineman B.J. Finney on the Reserve/Injured List. Finney suffered a back injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec

Pittsburgh Steelers place key defender on COVID-19 list

On Wednesday, the Steelers announced DT Montravius Adams has been placed on the COVID-19 list, meaning his status moving forward is uncertain based on if he his vaccinated and NFL protocols..

Adams was signed by on Nov. 30 off the New Orleans Saints practice squad and has been a solid addition to the defensive line, recording four tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass deflection and a quarterback pressure in just two games suiting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

The Steelers need all the help they can get when it comes to stopping the run, so this is a significant blow. 

Despite a talented roster, Pittsburgh has one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL, and that has been very apparent over recent weeks. Pittsburgh is allowing 139.5 rushing yards per game, which is only better than the Houston Texans (144.2) and Los Angeles Chargers (141.2).

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now 6-6-1 on the season, sitting in third place in the AFC North.