T.J. Watt’s calf is now on the injury report, just as the Pittsburgh Steelers lose Sebastian Joseph-Day to injured reserve before Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints in Paris. He's expected to return Week 12. Watt was limited Thursday. A day earlier, the first Saints injury report listed him only for rest and Joseph-Day as a nonparticipant with a triceps injury. One day changed the defensive outlook quite a bit.
The official October 22 report also rules out Brandin Echols (hamstring) and Ben Skowronek (calf). Both missed practice again. Jalen Ramsey returned to limited work with his wrist injury; Rico Dowdle (knee) and Alex Highsmith (groin) stayed limited. DeShon Elliott (knee) practiced fully for a second day, though he remains on injured reserve. Cameron Heyward missed practice for rest. Watt has no Sunday game designation yet, so his limited practice tells us only what he did Thursday.
Player | Position | Injury | Wed. | Thur. | Fri. | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jalen Ramsey | CB | Wrist | DNP | LP | ||
Rico Dowdle | RB | Knee | LP | LP | ||
Alex | LB | Groin | LP | LP | ||
Cameron Heyward | DT | NIR/Rest | DNP | DNP | ||
DeShon Elliott* | S | Knee | FP | FP | ||
Brandin Echols | CB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Out | |
Ben Skowronek | WR | Calf | DNP | DNP | Out | |
T.J. Watt | LB | NIR/Rest/Calf | DNP | LP |
Highsmith is already nursing a groin issue. Neither starting edge rusher has been ruled out (and likely won't), but if one needs fewer snaps, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer have to do more than spell him for a series. Watt demands attention from blockers before he makes a play. Herbig can bring pressure, but Pittsburgh has to account for Watt’s work setting the edge. And behind them, Joseph-Day’s move to IR removes another piece of a line already missing Derrick Harmon.
Pittsburgh Steelers' receiver depth keeps shrinking around DK Metcalf, Germie Bernard
The interior work now falls more heavily on Keeanu Benton, Heyward, and Yahya Black. Gabriel Rubio has a clear opening, especially against the run. I’d trust the rookie to take some of Joseph-Day’s early-down work. Asking him to supply the same pass rush is a whole other story. Kevin Jobity Jr. is another option if Pittsburgh changes which linemen dress Sunday, but he was inactive for Week 6.
Echols backs up Ramsey at nickel, so there’s no easy handoff if Ramsey’s wrist limits him. Ramsey has played through it before, and Thursday’s return is encouraging. If he needs to play outside instead, though, Patrick Graham still has to fill the slot while Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. handle their own assignments. Elliott’s full practice could help at safety, but only after Pittsburgh activates him.
Skowronek’s absence extends the receiver shortage that followed Roman Wilson’s move to injured reserve. DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard remain central to the passing plan, and a practice-squad receiver may be needed again. Dowdle’s new knee issue is another reason to watch Jaylen Warren’s backup workload. Friday’s full game designations will give answers on Watt, Highsmith, Ramsey, and Dowdle, while Elliott’s activation remains a separate decision.
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