Author: kate.magdziuk

Here’s a look at who’s popped up on the injury report for the Steelers ahead of their Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have held their second practice of the week in preparation for their first meeting of the season with the Baltimore Ravens, and it was largely a mixed bag of good news and bad news.

First up is the bad news — Steelers RB Jaylen Warren missed practice Thursday with a new back injury. He was not listed on Wednesday’s report, which means his status will need to be very closely monitored ahead of Week 11. This is the second injury Warren has dealt with this season, having missed two weeks with a knee injury (Weeks 4 and 5). In that span, Najee Harris led the charge with 27 attempts over those two games, with limited contributions from Cordarrelle Patterson (prior to an injury of his own) and occasional appearances from Aaron Shampklin and Jonathan Ward — both of whom are currently on the Steelers’ practice squad. On the plus side, RB Cordarrelle Patterson is now healthy, having returned in Week 10 following a nagging ankle injury; if Warren were limited or in danger of missing this contest, expect an uptick in touches for him.

Also new on the injury report is cornerback C.J. Henderson, currently listed with a neck injury. Henderson was signed to the practice squad late in September and eventually promoted to the active roster on October 22, though he has not yet been active in a game this season.

On the good news front, RB Najee Harris logged a full practice after missing Wednesday with an ankle injury, while WR Van Jefferson (quadricep) and CB Donte Jackson (hamstring) were both upgraded to “limited” from “DNP” on Wednesday.

OLB Nick Herbig also logged another full practice on Thursday — another sign that he should be available to return from a hamstring injury in Week 11. His availability will be key considering OLB Alex Highsmith is out with an ankle injury for at least Week 11. We can expect him and new OLB Preston Smith to rotate in the pass rush this week.

Lastly, the Steelers have officially activated CB Cory Trice Jr.’s 21-day practice window as of November 14. He was listed as a full participant for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3. Trice’s playing time has been limited since he was selected in the seventh round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft, having suffered a torn ACL in his first training camp, then having suffered the hamstring in Week 3. He did show some promise in his limited playing time, however, logging an interception against QB Bo Nix in Week 2, playing all over the field, including the perimeter and in the box. His availability could be key, especially with Jackson dealing with a hamstring injury himself.

Here’s a look at the full Steelers practice report for Thursday, November 14.

Steelers injury report: Thursday (Week 11)

DNP: OLB Alex Highsmith (ankle), RB Jaylen Warren (back), CB C.J. Henderson (neck)

Limited: WR Van Jefferson (quadricep), CB Donte Jackson (hamstring)

Full: OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring), RB Najee Harris (ankle), Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring)

Rest day: DT Cam Heyward, TE MyCole Pruitt (Rest/knee)

*Italics indicate a change in status from Wednesday’s practice report

Here’s a look at who’s popped up on the injury report for the Steelers ahead of their Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are days out from their first divisional matchup of the season, a home game against the Baltimore Ravens with huge ramifications for the AFC North standings. Unfortunately, heading into this game, there are several players dealing with some bumps and bruises that will need to be monitored ahead of game day.

Here’s a look at the full Steelers practice report for Wednesday, November 13.

Steelers injury report: Wednesday (Week 11)

DNP: OLB Alex Highsmith (ankle), RB Najee Harris (ankle), CB Donte Jackson (hamstring), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee), WR Van Jefferson (quadricep)

Full: OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring)

Rest day: DT Cameron Heyward, LG Isaac Seumalo

Five players, including four starters, missed the first official practice ahead of Week 11 — OLB Alex Highsmith, RB Najee Harris, CB Donte Jackson and WR Van Jefferson. Highsmith’s absence was no surprise, having already been ruled out by Tomlin in his weekly Tuesday press conference. The good news is that the team is expecting second-year EDGE Nick Herbig back in Week 11 with further reinforcements from new trade acquisition Preston Smith, who logged a sack in his first game in black and gold.

Najee Harris, newly listed with an ankle injury, was also acknowledged as likely to be limited, but Tomlin said the team is not anticipating a lack of availability for him — good news.

The absence of Donte Jackson wasn’t particularly surprising, either, having exited Week 10 with a hamstring injury and failing to return. Tomlin stated Tuesday that Jackson was “feeling good” but acknowledged that they’ll approach his practice availability and limitations day by day. In his absence, it was primarily CB James Pierre who played in relief as the perimeter corner opposite Joey Porter Jr.

That leaves WR Van Jefferson as a looming question mark for Week 11’s contest. One can anticipate an uptick in participation for new acquisition Mike Williams given he’s had an extra week within the system, but if Jefferson’s availability is a question at all, he could see his role increase more significantly than anticipated. Notably absent on the injury report was WR Calvin Austin III, who was shaken up late in the Steelers’ Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders.