The Browns have 3 starters out today. Here is their complete list:
QB Alex Tanney, CB Joe Haden (hip pointer), LG Jason Pinkston (concussion), RG Shawn Lauvao (thigh contusion), TE Andre Smith (strained calf), DE John Hughes (sprained knee) and NT Phil Taylor (concussion).
The Steelers offense will want to capitalize on the absences of Haden, Hughes and Taylor. I expect another big game for Le’Veon Bell.
The Steelers injury report is out for the Browns game, and it looks pretty good. Terence Garvin (knee) is the only player who is ruled out for the Steelers. Both Emmanuel Sanders (knee) and Jason Worilds (abdomen) are labeled as questionable. David DeCastro (back), Jarvis Jones (illness), Brett Keisel (foot) , Heath Miller (non-injury), Troy Polamalu (non-injury), and Markus Wheaton (finger).
Sanders spoke with media today regarding his status and said, “Right now I’m 50-50. We’re going to call it a game-time decision.” He went on to say that he’ll try to play through the pain if it won’t make the injury any worse.
When asked about his back, David DeCastro said, “I’m good to go. My back’s fine.”
For the Browns:
OG Jason Pinkston (concussion), TE Andre Smith (strained calf) and NT Phil Taylor (concussion) are all Out.
DE John Hughes (knee, elbow) is Doubtful
TE Jordan Cameron (concussion), cornerback Joe Haden (hip pointer), guard John Greco (sprained knee) and guard Shawn Lauvao (thigh contusion) are listed as Questionable.
LB Paul Kruger (illness), S Jordan Poyer (toe), OT Joe Thomas (back), LB Tank Carder (shoulder), P Spencer Lanning (left knee), RB Willis McGahee (knee), OT Mitchell Schwartz (toe) and S T.J. Ward (shoulder, illness) are all listed as Probable.
Everyone practiced fully today for the Steelers. Kelvin Beachum, Jerricho Cotchery, Marcus Gilbert, Brett Keisel, Steve McLendon, Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu and Emmanuel Sanders are all probable for Sunday against the Packers.
For the Packers:
Most notably- Aaron Rodgers is out. Matt Flynn will start again at quarterback. Also out is DT Johnny Jolly.
DL Ryan Pickett (knee), DE CJ Wilson (ankle), TE Brandon Bostick (foot), LB Brad Jones (ankle), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), LB Mike Neal (abdomen), LB Nick Perry (foot), are all probable.
Brett Keisel was the only player who was limited for the Steelers in practice today. Marcus Gilbert (ankle) participated fully, as did Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu, Kelvin Beachum (knee), Emmanuel Sanders (foot), Steve McLendon (ankle) and Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder). While Keisel was limited, he did do more in practice today. Regarding Keisel, Dick LeBeau said, “I really think he feels he’s got a real legitimate shot. We’ll just have to see.”
For the Packers:
Limited: Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), DE C.J. Wilson (ankle), and DT Ryan Pickett (knee).
Did not practice: TE Brandon Bostick (foot), DT Johnny Jolly (neck/shoulder, ruled out), LB Brad Jones (ankle), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), OLB Mike Neal (abdomen), OLB Nick Perry (foot), and DT Ryan Pickett (knee).
Aaron Rodgers took most of his reps with the second team today, while Matt Flynn prepared with the starters. About Rodgers, Packers coach McCarthy said, “I would state him ready to play…but once again we’re going through the process to make sure we’re getting Matt ready to play. Matt took the majority of [today’s] reps.”
We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out if Rodgers will be active for the game on Sunday, but all signs are pointing to the Packers sitting him.
There were no real suprises out of practice today. Troy Polamalu and Heath Miller were given maintenance days and did not practice. Jerricho Cotchery also did not participate due to his shoulder. Brett Keisel (foot) and Marcus Gilbert (ankle) were limited. Steve McLendon was a full participant.
For the Packers:
TE Brandon Bostick (foot), DL Johnny Jolly (shoulder/neck), LB Brad Jones (ankle), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), LB Mike Neal (abdomen), LB Nick Perry (foot), all did not practice.
DL Ryan Pickett (knee), QB Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), and DL CJ Wilson (ankle) were limited.
Rodgers has not been medically cleared to play yet. Matt Flynn is taking the starting snaps, and a couple Packers beat reporters were saying that today’s practice played out the same as it has the past few weeks in terms of preparation. We’ll have to wait until Friday to know for sure what Rodgers’ availability will be for Sunday.
For the Steelers:
OUT: Brett Keisel
QUESTIONABLE: Steve McLendon
PROBABLE: Kelvin Beachum, Jerricho Cotchery, David DeCastro, Emmanuel Sanders, Ziggy Hood, and Troy Polamalu.
For the Bengals:
OUT: CB Terrence Newman
PROBABLE: LB Vontaze Burfict (illness/thigh), DE Wallace Gilberry (knee), RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (illness), S George Iloka (concussion), WR Marvin Jones (shoulder), G Kevin Zeitler (foot), and LB James Harrison (illness).
Here is a look at the Detroit Lions injury report.
OUT: RB Montell Owens (knee).
DOUBTFUL: CB Bill Bentley (knee), WR Nate Burleson (forearm).
QUESTIONABLE: DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), T Corey Hilliard (knee).
PROBABLE: RB Reggie Bush (knee), S Louis Delmas (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (knee).
Even though he didn’t practice today, Reggie Bush is expected to play. He hasn’t practiced the past two Fridays and still played that Sunday. Johnson participated in practice today and is expected to play. Ansah participated for the first time this week, but was very limited. He is said to be considered a game time decision.