The Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries
Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley did not participate in practice Tuesday, and are both unlikely to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans. Rashard Mendenhall and James Harrison should both be healthy for the game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense continues to be banged up, as Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley missed practice Tuesday and are both expected to miss Thursday night’s match-up against the Tennessee Titans.
Polamalu has already been ruled out due to the same calf injury that caused him to miss a pair of games earlier this year, which he re-aggravated Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Woodley’s status is less certain, but he missed practice Tuesday and probably will not be ready to go Thursday with the short turnaround.
For James Harrison and Rashard Mendenhall, each who made their season debuts Sunday, the outlook is better: they’re expected to be good to go against Tennessee, but were both limited in practice. Mendenhall had ACL surgery in the off season and Harrison had minor arthroscopic knee surgery during training camp that kept him out longer than expected.
Before last week’s game, the Steelers had a week off to recuperate thanks to a bye in Week 4 that allowed Polamalu, Harrison, and Mendenhall to return. This week, they only have three days.
Tennessee Titans Injuries
Quarterback Jake Locker (left shoulder), linebacker Colin McCarthy (ankle), tackle Mike Otto (knee) and running back Javon Ringer (knee) all sat out on Tuesday. Both Locker and Ringer have already been ruled out for the game while Titans head coach Mike Munchak said Tuesday that he expects McCarthy to play Thursday night.
Defensive end Scott Solomon (hamstring) was limited Thursday while safety Jordan Babineaux (knee), linebacker Patrick Bailey (hand), wide receiver Kenny Britt (ankle), cornerback Ryan Mouton (knee) and cornerback Alterraun Verner (thigh) all worked fully.
Munchak was asked Tuesday if Britt would be more involved this week. “Like I said, we didn’t even expect him to play last Sunday, so that was a huge plus for us and him to get out there, get some confidence again,” said Munchak. “He hasn’t played hardly in a year. He’ll get a little practice this week even though this is a limited week, as far as that goes. The goal would be to get him out there. He’s a guy that we know can make plays. He’s got to get comfortable again with the offense. Hopefully he’ll be a big addition to the rotation on Thursday night.”
