Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris picked up an abdominal injury in Monday night's victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He was unable to return to the game and on Wednesday, he missed practice. On the positive front though, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Harris avoided a serious injury. Even if he does miss this weekend's contest against the Atlanta Falcons, he shouldn't be out for too long.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
The running game did quite well with Harris out, led by Anthony McFarland Jr. and Benny Snell Jr. The two didn't have a carry before Week 12, but they stepped in admirably. Primary back running back, Jaylen Warren, who missed the prime time contest with a hamstring injury, will return in Week 13. He told reporters that he was cleared to play, as evidenced by him being a full participant on Wednesday.
Another Steeler is set to return in Week 13, as wide receiver Miles Boykin (oblique) practiced fully on Wednesday. While he hasn't provided much of an impact on offense this season, his presence was clearly missed in the Monday Night Football contest. The special teams struggled throughout, including allowing a 89-yard kick return to open the second half. Special teams coach, Danny Smith will be relieved to have Boykin back, as he's been the team's best player in that department in 2022.
Ahkello Witherspoon, who has played just one game in the last two months with a hamstring injury, missed practice once again. There hasn't been much of an update on him lately, so his prospects for Week 13 look bleak. A ton of Steelers were limited in practice on Wednesday, something that head coach Mike Tomlin prefaced would happen in his weekly press conference on Tuesday:
- LB Robert Spillane (oblique)
- LB TJ Watt (ribs)
- LB Myles Jack (knee)
- C Mason Cole (foot)
- DL Larry Ogunjobi (toe)
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick (ribs)
#Steelers injury report for Wednesday vs Falcons.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) November 30, 2022
No Najee Harris or Ahkello Witherspoon. @937theFan pic.twitter.com/IRQ7R4zGAY
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Most of, if not all, the guys listed above will be able to play on Sunday. Tomlin stated that they would just be limited early in the week to get them rested and as healthy as possible for the weekend. Spillane is the main name to watch, as he missed the Week 12 game with a back injury. Like Harris though, he was listed as having an oblique issue on the injury report. Devin Bush stepped in and played every defensive snap in the win as a result of Spillane's absence.
What were your thoughts on the team's running game against the Colts? With Warren back in the fold and Harris possibly out, how should the RB pecking order go against the Falcons? Which of these injuries are you most concerned about in Week 13? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to interact with our social media sites as well!
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