Final practice report of the week…
The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed out west for a showdown with the Denver Broncos, with a few question marks in the injury column heading into Sunday.
With the final practice of the week in the books, here’s a full breakdown of Steelers’ final injury designations, as well as their participation report for their final practice ahead of Week 2 against the Denver Broncos.
Steelers injury designations for Week 2
Questionable: Russell Wilson (calf), Roman Wilson (ankle)
Out: LG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral)
Full practice report breakdown
DNP: LG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral)
Limited: QB Russell Wilson (calf), WR Roman Wilson (ankle)
Full: DL Larry Ogunjobi (knee), Dan Moore Jr. (ankle), Darius Rush (concussion), LB Patrick Queen (groin)
*Note: Italics indicate a change from yesterday’s practice report.
Though Wilson is listed as questionable, he seems closer to “doubtful” than anything else, with the team having acknowledged they were preparing for the week as though Justin Fields would be the starter.
Though it’s now been officially confirmed, the Week 2 absence of starting left guard Isaac Seumalo isn’t unexpected, as his injury suffered in late August had a timetable of around a month for return. Second-year OL Spencer Anderson will get another start in his place.
The most interesting aspect of what’s to come based on this week’s injury report is Dan Moore Jr.’s availability after suffering an ankle injury last week. After not practicing on Wednesday, he was upgraded to a full participant in the final two sessions of the week, which means he’s likely good to go.
Reports surfaced on Thursday evening that rookie OT Troy Fautanu is expected to make his first career start on Sunday, presumably at right tackle. So, with Moore officially absent any type of injury, that means the Steelers would be forced to choose between him and second-year OT Broderick Jones at left tackle.
As it stands today, the Steelers are 2.5-point road favorites over the Broncos on FanDuel Sportsbook. Expect the odds to remain fairly stable whether or not it’s Fields or Wilson under center on Sunday. Though Pittsburgh’s headed on the road this week, their defense has a significant edge over the Broncos’ offense, which is still finding its footing under rookie quarterback Bo Nix.