Steelers injury report: A pair of Pittsburgh starters miss Thursday’s practice

The Steelers were missing a pair of starters at practice on Thursday, but here’s why Pittsburgh is still in a good position for Week 7.

The Steelers will face the Tennessee Titans in Nashville and this game contains two undefeated teams where one team will likely end the game as defeated.

The Steelers really only have three injuries and one of them will be on the reserve/injured list soon. That means that there are two players who are questionable for the game against the Titans.

Mike Hilton is the Steeler’s primary slot corner and has really helped this team with the slot blitz. Derek Watt has been on and off the injury report with a lingering hamstring injury.

Steelers Injury Report

Devin Bush (ACL Tear) Out

Devin Bush is already listed as out for the game against the Titans and I think he will go on the reserve/injured list soon. It looks like the Steelers will mostly rely on Robert Spillane to replace Bush the rest of the way. I think we will see more of Ulysees Gilbert III as well. The Steelers should be happy that they moved Marcus Allen to inside linebacker.

Mike Hilton (Shoulder) Questionable

Mike Hilton is on the injury report and has sat out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. He has a shoulder injury and it is looking like he won’t be playing Sunday against the Titans. The good news is the Steelers have an experienced backup in Cameron Sutton who will take over the slot corner duties. We will see on Friday if he practices.

Derek Watt (Hamstring) Questionable

Derek Watt did not practice again on Thursday leaving his participation in Sunday’s game in question. The Steelers like a fullback on the team but his main contribution is special teams. One thing the Steelers like to do on running downs is bring in a tackle to be like a tight end in the run game. I think we will see more of Jerald Hawkins on Sunday because I think Derek Watt will be out.

Titans Injury Report

Isaiah Wilson (Illness) Questionable

Isaiah Wilson’s career in the NFL has been a hot mess. He was a highly-touted prospect out of college but has had legal troubles and health issues in the NFL. He was arrested for DUI and was on the Covid-19 list for over a month. Dennis Kelly has replaced him at right tackle and has done alright as a replacement.

AJ Brown (Knee) Questionable

It is somewhat unclear the severity of this knee issue. It has caused him to miss practices in previous weeks. He sat out of practice on Thursday along with Wednesday leaving his participation Sunday in doubt. AJ Brown is a key piece of this offense this injury is an x-factor going into Sunday’s showdown.

Conclusion

The Steelers have a few manageable injuries. The Steelers can replace Mike Hilton although it is better to have him in the lineup and they could be without a fullback on Sunday. There are ways to replace a fullback though.

The Titans have a few key injuries. I think the Titans would like Isaiah Wilson to get his life and career back together. The Titans would also like their best receiver, AJ Brown, to be in the lineup Sunday although Tannehill will have plenty of receiving options including Corey Davis and Adam Humphries.