The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without a number of players in their Week 2 preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
The injury bug has taken effect in Pittsburgh this offseason. Over the course of a few weeks, the team has seen a number of players sustain nagging injuries that have and will keep them out of action for the time being.
With a number of injuries, and a handful of veterans set to miss Thursday’s game against the Packers, there will be plenty of time for rookies and roster hopefuls to make their case for the 53-man roster.
Earlier this week, Mike Tomlin confirmed that Ben Roethlisberger, Cameron Heyward, Antonio Brown and Landry Jones will miss Week 2. Roethlisberger, who had fans scared after leaving practice on Tuesday, is under concussion protocol, but is not considered to be dealing with anything serious. He also noted that the following injured players will miss time as well – Ramon Foster (groin) and Vance McDonald (foot).
Regarding the players who have been dealing with injury, but are working their way back, Tomlin said that there is a chance we see a number of sidelined guys in action on Thursday night. T.J. Watt (hamstring), Sean Davis (groin), Xavier Grimble (thumb), Marcus Allen, James Conner (groin), Stevan Ridley and B.J. Finney (quad) are all possibilities to see the field in Green Bay.
Bob Labriola of Steelers.com reported earlier this week that Bud Dupree will see the field for the first time this preseason. He will be making his debut on the right side after switching with Watt at the beginning of the offseason. Anthony Chickillo also returned to practice this week and could see time on Thursday, as well.
The Steelers matchup with Green Bay provides a chance for a number of players to make a case for themselves in 2018. It also provides action for guys like Dupree, who are hoping to make this season a breakout year.