Pittsburgh Steelers starting left guard Isaac Seumalo returned to practice Friday and has been given the official green light to play in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Seumalo left last week’s defeat to the Green Bay Packers during the second half because of a pectoral injury that prevented him from practicing Wednesday and Thursday. But Seumalo was listed as a partial participant at Friday’s practice on the league-mandated injury report and was a somewhat-surprising omission on the status report for Sunday’s game, indicating he will play.
“It’s always great to have Isaac,” said starting center Zach Frazier, who himself was deemed healthy enough to play against the Colts despite a lingering calf injury. “Good to have that whole group together.”
The Steelers have had the same starting five offensive linemen for every game this season.
Playing it safe-ty
On the day the Steelers officially placed starting strong safety DeShon Elliott on the injured reserve list, the news was also discouraging regarding two others who had starts this season at safety.
Jabrill Peppers was ruled out for Sunday’s game because of a quadriceps injury suffered during the week of practice. Fellow veteran Chuck Clark, additionally, was not at Friday’s practice. The reason listed on the injury report was illness.
With Miles Killebrew also on IR, the only pure safeties on the active roster are Juan Thornhill and the newly acquired Kyle Dugger. Jalen Ramsey, though, often has lined up at safety this season for the Steelers. Also, rookie Jack Henderson and newly signed veteran Darrick Forrest are safeties on the practice squad.
Moves coming?
The announcement of Elliott’s placement on IR was made in conjunction with defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale also going on IR. Each suffered a knee injury during the game against Green Bay, and Ekuale’s, in particular, is known with certainty to be season-ending.
That leaves two open spots on the 53-man active roster. Two players on IR — inside linebacker Malik Harrson and rookie quarterback Will Howard — are candidates to fill them after each completed another full week of practice.
Harrison (knee) and Howard (finger), by rule, must be active by Monday and Nov. 12, respectively, or each is out for the season.
The Steelers’ hand might be forced in regards to Harrison because their No. 3 inside linebacker, Cole Holcomb, missed the final two practices of the week because of illness and has been deemed questionable to play Sunday.
Cornerback Cory Trice suffered a knee injury within 48 hours of being cleared to practice off IR because of a hamstring injury. He did not practice Friday, an indication that setback is significant enough that it could affect his ability to return this season.
More injury updates
Starters who were on the injury report but practiced fully Friday and officially were given a green light for Sunday include tight end Pat Freiermuth (quadriceps), Dugger (knee) and cornerback Darius Slay (personal).
Among the depth wide receivers, Scotty Miller (finger) will miss a second consecutive game, but Ben Skowronek (neck) is good to go against the Colts.
