The Steelers held their first practice of the week yesterday in preparation for Sunday’s game at Buffalo, but with a growing injury list that included seven players from the defensive side of the football.
Three starters in the secondary were out: cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds. Limited participants were defensive linemen Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley, as well as defensive backs Levin Wallace and Cam Sutton. In addition, linebacker TJ Watt remains on injured reserve for at least one more week.
Rookie wide receiver Calvin Austin III returned to practice for the first time since training camp after sitting out with a foot injury. The Steelers have 21 days to activate him, and if he is activated for this week, it could spell the end for return man Gunner Olszewski, who has dropped two punts this season and who was replaced yesterday by wide receiver Steven Sims.
Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett led the first-team offense for the first time after being named the starter for this week. He understands that the Bills are a tough matchup for the undermanned Steelers.
Pickett has long been an admirer of Bills QB Josh Allen and says Allen is a good role model for any quarterback.
NFL
Week Five of the NFL season begins tonight in Denver as the Broncos host the Colts.
Washington running back Brian Robinson Jr. returned to practice for the first time since being shot twice in a robbery attempt five weeks ago.
Former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and ex-Cowboys, Bills, and Bucs wide receiver Cole Beasley both announced their retirement yesterday.
And the fan who ran onto the field with a pink smoke device Monday night and was tackled by the Rams’ Bobby Wagner has filed a police report accusing Wagner of assault.
