Steelers pre-season injuries minor headed into Eagles game

With the Steelers first preseason game in the books, we now come to the part of any season which fans hate the most: the injury report.

Fortunately, at this juncture, all the Steelers have are some mild bumps and bruises, unlike the Rams, who lost Cam Akers before training camp opened. As the season progresses, with the extra game as well, this report will assuredly get longer. Hopefully, though, without any significant injuries.

Benny Snell RB: Questionable (undisclosed)

According to Post-Gazette reporter Brian Batko since the Steelers victory over Dallas in the Hall of Fame Game, Benny Snell has missed two straight practices with an undisclosed injury. Reports seem to indicate it’s not significant. With the Steelers’ next game with the Eagles looming, it’s difficult to predict whether Snell will play in that game.

If he misses additional practices this week, then expect him to sit out. If that’s the case, it will give coaches a chance to get an extended look at the other running backs considering Snell had no touches in the game against Dallas.

Eric Ebron TE: Questionable (elbow)

It was questionable if the Steelers would have played their number one tight end in a pre-season game anyway; why risk the injury in an expanded season when you have rookies to evaluate. That said, he had injured his elbow ahead of their first pre-season game. Apparently, he has returned to practice since he missed the Dallas game, so the injury seems to be of little consequence.

James Washington WR: Questionable (knee)

If the media circus around his supposed trade request is bad enough, James Washington failed to finish Sunday’s practice as trainers placed a wrap and later a sleeve on his knee. From the few reports, there are it seems any treatment may have been merely precautionary. We will know more later this week.

Kalen Ballage RB: Questionable (lower body)

Kalen Ballage scored the Steelers’ first touchdown of the 2021 pre-season, and shortly after, he suffered a lower-body injury in the game after amassing five rushing attempts for 19 yards. Based on the few reports, it does not seem serious, and he should be back for the Eagles or, at worst, the Lions game.

There were two more severe injuries to backups Anthony Coyle OT and Demarkus Acy CB. Acy tore his ACL in practice before the Dallas game. Coyle, primarily a practice squad vet, injured his shoulder, apparently before the game with Dallas as well. However, after the injuries, the Steelers waived both players. They cleared waivers, meaning they will end up on the injured reserve list. Acy will likely miss the rest of the season at any rate. The severity of Coyle’s injury is unclear, but more than likely, he may miss a significant portion of the season as well.

For now, most injuries are minor. What happens later this year, and with the addition of the 17th game, we will have to wait and see. Hopefully, the Steelers injury report will stay relatively empty in 2021; well fans can hope anyway.