Steelers have clean bill of health for Cleveland game

The Steelers have just come off their Week 7 bye and are nearly as healthy as they were in the first week of the NFL season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are as close to healthy as any team can be in Week 8 of an NFL season. That said, the Steelers are, though, without JuJu Smith-Schuster, and they will miss him for the remainder of the season. Despite that, they get a fresh body back for the Cleveland Browns game, as running back Anthony McFarland will return this Sunday. In Matt Canada’s offense, he could end up playing a pivotal role or help out to give Najee Harris breathers every so often. With that, offensive lineman Zach Banner plans to make his return as well, as he had a full practice on Wednesday. His return could potentially help shore up the offensive line and possibly open up bigger holes for Harris.  So here are the Steelers still dealing with injuries coming off the bye week.

Carlos Davis, DT: Out (Knee)

Over the bye week, Carlos Davis is the only player whose injury worsened. Davis has dealt with a knee injury since the beginning of the season, however, over the bye week, he was shifted to the injury reserve. As a result, he will miss at least three more weeks. Over that time, Isaiahh Loudermilk will see increased playing time filling in for Davis.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB: Questionable (Pectoral/Hip)

Big Ben has dealt with his pectoral injury since the Oakland Raiders game in Week 2 and the hip a few weeks after, as a result, he had a limited practice on Wednesday. That said, it’s not unusual for him to sit out of a Wednesday practice when healthy, so fans should not worry. There is no indication Ben will miss the Cleveland game, so expect him to play on Sunday.

Melvin Ingram, LB: Questionable (Groin)

Ingram’s injury came somewhere between the Seattle game and the bye week. Although another groin injury, it does not seem too significant as he did have a limited practice Wednesday. Considering he has not had much playing time, if he did not play against Cleveland, it would not impact the Steelers much. However, it seems likely since he is practicing, he will play.

Chase Claypool, WR: Questionable (Hamstring)

Claypool has dealt with this injury for several weeks, that said, one would hardly notice he has any hamstring injury at all. Nonetheless, the Steelers held him to a limited practice Wednesday. In this case, why risk aggravating a hamstring if you do not need to. Do not worry, Mapletron will not miss the Cleveland game.

Thankfully the injury report is light this week, and it appears none of the players, except Davis, should miss any game time. Although it’s not unusual additional injuries could creep up before Sunday, so you can always review the Steelers injury report for the most updated information.