The Pittsburgh Steelers likely will have to wait another week to welcome back Cordarrelle Patterson after a multi-game absence. They won’t, however, have to wait any longer for Damontae Kazee’s return.
Kazee, one of the Steelers’ top three safeties, made it through a full week of practice, and on Saturday he was officially cleared to play in Monday night’s home game against the New York Giants. Kazee had missed the past two games because of an ankle injury.
Patterson has missed three games because of an ankle ailment. He was listed as a limited practice participant the past three days on the injury report and was assigned a “doubtful” designation to play Monday.
Five players were ruled out from facing the Giants: starting center Zach Frazier (ankle), outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring), special-teamer Tyler Matakevich (hamstring), rookie receiver Roman Wilson (hamstring) and reserve offensive tackle Dylan Cook (foot).
Cook and Matakevich remain on injured reserve. Herbig will miss a third consecutive game, and Frazier is out for a second straight outing. Wilson has appeared in just one game this season.
Cleared to play after practicing fully were safety DeShon Elliott (back), cornerback Donte Jackson (shoulder) and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (calf). Reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt did not take part in Saturday’s practice — listed because of a knee injury — but he was not given a status designation for Monday’s game and therefore is cleared to play.
