Steelers news: Discouraging injury report, uplifting Damar Hamlin news, and more

Pittsburgh has just one practice left before they prepare to host the Cleveland Browns. The latest Steelers news is discouraging, but the Damar Hamlin news is uplifting. 

As we gear up for the final week of the regular season, football has been put into perspective after a life-threatening injury to Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin. Fortunately, it seems we can all breathe a sigh of relief as the latest news is incredibly uplifting and an answer to our prayers.

This is obviously way more important than what the Steelers have going on this weekend, but the NFL is scheduled for a heavy slate of games this Sunday for Week 18. Pittsburgh’s injury report on Thursday was pretty discouraging, but there is hope. Here’s the latest Steelers news you need to know as we head toward the weekend.

Steelers news

After six starters and eight total players missed Wednesday’s practice to begin the week, we thought the Steelers injury report would look a bit more encouraging than it did on Thursday. Diontae Johnson made his way back to the field after sitting out Wednesday with a hip injury while Najee Harris returned from a day of rest. However, four players still did not participate, while Alex Highsmith was added to the list with an ankle injury.

The good news is that none of these injuries are expected to be very serious, but we would like to see all of Pittsburgh’s starters get in a full week of practice before the most important game of the season. Minkah Fitzpatrick (ankle), Larry Ogunjobi (toe), Myles Jack (groin), and Arthur Maulet remain sidelined. They really need to log a practice today if they want to be ready in time for Sunday.

More Steelers news

The Steelers game isn’t the only one around the NFL that matters for Pittsburgh fans this week. In addition to a win over the Browns in the season finale on Sunday, the Steelers also need the Bills to beat the Patriots and the Jets must defeat the Dolphins this week. Here is a more detailed breakdown of what must happen in Week 18.

However, there has been a new development that could directly affect the Steelers. Jets QB Mike White — who was slated to start this week — was downgraded in practice yesterday with a rib injury. This doesn’t mean that he won’t play, but it’s interesting to note that he also skipped his scheduled media session, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

If White isn’t able to go, Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes could rest in the hands of Joe Flacco or Zach Wilson, as they need the Jets to win in order to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. Regardless of who’s under center for the Jets, let’s hope they can do enough to secure a win against the Dolphins this week — who will also be deploying a backup quarterback this week.

Damar Hamlin news

All other football and Steelers news seems insignificant right now in comparison to Damar Hamlin. The Bills safety suffered a cardiac arrest on the field on Monday night, and the situation was as scary as anything we’ve seen in an NFL game. Fortunately, the nation received some excellent news on Thursday afternoon.

NFL Insider Field Yates of ESPN reported that Damar Hamlin’s progress has included getting him to the point where he was alert enough to write to the doctors and ask who won the game. They responded to Hamlin with ‘you won the game of life.’

This is incredibly uplifting news considering how scary and life-threatening this situation has been. Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition, but doctors seem to be very encouraged by his progress.