By G.Stryker
SteelerNation.com
Finally, football has returned to Steeler Nation! There were only two serious injuries in training camp: Brian Allen (ankle) and Lavon Hooks (achilles). Both were unlikely to make the roster, and both were waived/injured releases.
The Physically Unavailable to Play (PUP) list was used again this year. Ryan Shazier was placed on it as he continues to work his way back from his back injury. He’s still a year away before anyone will know whether he will ever play football again, but his strength and positivity is an inspiration to his teammates and community. We’re all hoping the best for you, Ryan. #Shalieve!
TJ Watt was also briefly placed on the PUP before camp started when he had some hamstring tightness reported after the team conditioning runs. It was precautionary and he returned nine days later and looks ready to build on his Pro Bowl season.
Joe Haden (ankle), Ola Adeniyi (meniscus surgery/knee), Anthony Chickillo (chest), Bud Dupree (thumb), and Justin Layne (leg) all practiced fully this week and are not mentioned on the injury report. This is good health management by the Steelers to get all of these players ready to play the first game of the year.
Sean Davis is the only injured player listed on the roster. He didn’t practice all week, and is officially listed as doubtful, so he shouldn’t be playing opening day. I will note that replays of his injury make it look like it may be a high ankle sprain.
I track and try to predict timelines for Steeler players returning to the field. This is a link to our current spreadsheet. It will update on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday after the practice reports are issued, as well as Post-Game and Tuesday after Coach Tomlin's press conferences. Bookmark it to see how the health of the Steelers are shaping up each week:2019 Steelers Injury/Suspension/Inactive/Fine Tracker
This week, I believe the inactive players will be:
- Josh Dobbs: Healthy Scratch/ 3rd QB
- Sean Davis: Listed as doubtful, so he most likely will not play
- Zach Banner: Steelers like to dress 7 linemen when the team is healthy
- Fred Johnson: Ditto
- Justin Layne: with Johnny Holton getting called up, Layne may lose his special teams duties. Plus there are 4 healthy corners that can pay the outside ahead of him.
- Zach Gentry: The swing tackle is a better blocker and he doesn’t play much on special teams.
- Ulysees Gilbert: This was a tough call. The Steelers like to sit one of the 6 DLs, but with the Patriots playing more of a power game, they may need all 6, so Isaiah Buggs and Dan McCullers could play. Also with Ola Adeniyi and Anthony Chickillo practicing fully this week, they should be getting the special teams snaps.
Do you disagree? Let me know who you think will be inactive in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
