Steelers notebook: Warren, Pruitt return to practice field

Two of the three players that coach Mike Tomlin characterized as “doubtful” to play in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next game were on the practice field Wednesday.

Running back Jaylen Warren and reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt were deemed limited participants at practice, per the league-mandated injury report. Each has missed multiple games because of a respective knee injury.

Warren said he has received “a bunch of treatment” over the past three weeks since suffering the injury during the Sept. 22 game and “felt good” during Wednesday’s practice.

“I’ve got to be smart about it,” Warren said. “My family and coaches talk to me about it all the time. As urgent as I am to try to get back out there, I have to be smart.”

The Steelers have five tight ends on their active roster, and in lieu of Warren and veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, the team at running back has turned to Aaron Shampklin and Jonathan Ward off its practice squad. Tomlin said Patterson (ankle) will miss a second consecutive game because of an ankle injury.

A third player Tomlin said was doubtful to play Sunday for the Steelers at the Las Vegas Raiders, safety Damontae Kazee, did not practice at all. Kazee suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Wilson full

As Tomlin said Tuesday, first-string quarterback Russell Wilson was a full participant at practice for the first time since early in Week 1. Wilson, who has been dealing with a calf injury for more than two months, led the second-team offense.

Also injured during that game and already deemed out for the Raiders game were edge defenders Nick Herbig (hamstring) and DeMarvin Leal (neck). Neither practiced Wednesday. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith also did not practice and will miss a third straight game Sunday.

A number of veterans were given the day off from practice: running back Najee Harris, guard Isaac Seumalo, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, defensive linemen Larry Ogunjobi and Cameron Heyward, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (Fitzpatrick took part in practice on a limited basis).

Raiders make change

During his weekly news conference previewing Sunday’s game, Tomlin spoke highly of the then-Raiders quarterback.

“I got a lot of respect for (Gardner) Minshew, man,” Tomlin said. “… I’ve just always appreciated his moxie and in-game savvy.”

Tomlin will not have an opportunity to witness Minshew’s on-field in person, at least not to start this week.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce told reporters Wednesday in Las Vegas that Aidan O’Connell is the team’s new starting quarterback. O’Connell would therefore make his first start of the season Sunday at Allegiant Stadium against the Steelers.

“At this point, I think it’s best to go with Aidan going forward,” Pierce said.

“I don’t plan on making switches at any time. When it’s time to make a switch, you make a switch.”

A fourth-round pick out of Purdue last year, O’Connell played in 11 games and started 10 as a rookie. His first start was the week after the Steelers played at the Raiders on Week 4 of last season.

O’Connell went 5-5 as a starter, completing 62.1% of his passes with 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions and an 83.9 passer rating in 2023. Over the offseason, the Raiders signed veteran Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract. He won a purported camp competition to be the starter but threw five interceptions in five games before getting benched after throwing his second interception during this past Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos. One was returned 100 yards for a touchdown.

Minshew threw three touchdown passes for the Indianapolis Colts in a victory against the Steelers 10 months ago.