The Pittsburgh Steelers listed Jalen Ramsey as limited with a wrist injury on Monday’s estimated injury report, while Joey Porter Jr. was listed as full for conditioning ahead of Thursday’s game in Cleveland. Porter missed the Bengals game, so seeing his name beside “full” is welcome. Seeing Ramsey’s beside “wrist” takes some of the shine off it.
The Steelers’ Week 4 report also lists Brandin Echols as limited with a concussion and Rico Dowdle as a nonparticipant because of his toe. Pittsburgh held a walkthrough Monday, which means all four participation listings are estimates. Nobody has a game designation until Wednesday.
Player | Position | Injury | Mon.* | Tues. | Wed. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jalen Ramsey | CB | Wrist | LP | ||
Rico Dowdle | RB | Toe | DNP | ||
Joey Porter Jr. | CB | NIR/Conditioning | FP | ||
Brandin Ehcols | CB | Concussion | LP |
*The Steelers held a walk-through on Monday; therefore, this report is an estimate of practice participation.
Porter’s entry is better than the limited practices he's had since the regular season kicked off, but I’m not penciling him into the lineup on the strength of a walkthrough. Mike McCarthy said Porter still has steps to take before playing. The coach was even less certain about Ramsey’s availability Thursday.
Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr. statuses could limit Pittsburgh Steelers’ coverage options against Cleveland Browns
Ramsey can play several jobs in this defense. With DeShon Elliott on injured reserve and Rayshawn Jenkins handling a larger safety role, losing Ramsey would affect more than the cornerback rotation. Pittsburgh would have fewer ways to change its coverage looks against Deshaun Watson without changing personnel.
If Echols can’t play Thursday, the Steelers could really use Porter back. Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. have handled the outside corner jobs during Porter’s absence, and the Bengals game tested that group. If Echols and Ramsey both sit -- entirely possible given the short week -- the Steelers could use Porter immediately. He still has to show he’s ready for game action after missing the first three.
Dowdle missed Sunday’s win with the same toe injury. Jaylen Warren gave Pittsburgh 127 rushing yards on 17 carries against Cincinnati, but a Thursday game leaves little recovery time before he’s asked to lead the backfield again. Travis Homer is on the active roster; Lew Nichols, who was elevated for the Bengals game, would need another elevation to play in Cleveland. With Warren having a hot hand, though, Nichols only came into the game for three snaps.
Tuesday’s update should give a better read on whether Ramsey, Echols, and Porter can do more than Monday’s walkthrough estimate suggests. Wednesday’s final designations will tell us which of them Pittsburgh expects to have available Thursday night.
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