With the signing of S Will Allen, the Steelers have announced that DaMon Cromartie-Smith has been waived/injured. Cromartie-Smith suffered an injury to his hip flexor during the loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Will Allen’s release by the Cowboys couldn’t have been timed better, as he is more familiar with this defense than any active safety not currently on the roster.
For the Steelers-
Did Not Practice: Markus Wheaton (finger).
Limited: DaMon Cromartie Smith (hip flexor).
Full: Ben Roethlisberger (finger) and Ramon Foster (pectoral).
Markus Wheaton has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jets.
For the Jets-
DNP- Santonio Holmes, Kellen Winslow, Kenrick Ellis, and Clyde Gates.
Limited: Dee Millner and Jaiquawn Jarrett.
According to Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette, Markus Wheaton says he will miss the Jets game due to his broken pinky finger. Wheaton told reporters that he will not have his stitches removed until next Monday, and Coach Tomlin said recently that the team will wait until he gets his stitches out to determine the next step for him. With the absence of Wheaton this week, will the coaching staff give Derek Moye snaps for the first time since scoring a touchdown against the Bengals in week two?
Markus Wheaton had surgery on his broken pinky finger Tuesday, according to Coach Tomlin. The rookie wide receiver broke the pinky during the loss to the Vikings last Sunday. In regards to the surgery, Mike Tomlin said it “looks to be good”. Tomlin said that they’ll have to wait for the stitches to come out before they can determine his availability. “Of course, it will be a number of days before that’s able to transpire”.
Whether or not Wheaton will be able to participate in the Jets game on the 13th is up in the air. The team utilized him dramatically more last week than in the prior three weeks. He saw 45.6% of the snaps against the Vikings, versus 7.5%, 8.6%, and 12% of the snaps from the first three games.
According to multiple media outlets, Ben Roethlisberger suffered a subluxation of his right index finger during the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. A subluxation is a partial dislocation of the finger joint.
The injury came early in the fourth quarter during a touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery. During the play, Vikings DE Everson Griffen got a hand up to bat the ball, and made contact with Roethlisberger’s hand after the ball was thrown. Ben told reporters today that the injury wasn’t serious. He went on to say that he will practice today if Coach Tomlin allows it, but that seems highly unlikely.
Here is a gif of the play where his finger was injured.
Ramon Foster had a MRI to determine the extent of the pectoral injury he received during the loss to the Vikings at Wembley Stadium. According to the Tribune-Review, the MRI revealed that Foster only suffered a minor pectoral muscles strain. Initial fears were that Foster tore his pectoral muscle, so this is great news. I know Steelers fans everywhere are breathing a collective sigh of relief. No? You should be considering how snake-bitten this team has been on the injury front this year. With the depth of O-line talent being what it is, any positive injury news should be welcomed with open arms.
The following players are listed as Probable for Sunday’s game:
Le’Veon Bell (foot), Cortez Allen (ankle), Heath Miller (knee), Steve McLendon (hamstring), and Brett Keisel (hamstring).
All participated fully today in practice. Bob Labriola reports that Heath’s limitation during Thursday’s practice was planned. Coach Tomlin limited his participation in an attempt to help prevent any possible setbacks to his knee.
Friday practice participation and Sunday’s injury report for the Vikings:
Matt Asiata, Full, Probable
Chris Cook, DNP, OUT
Rhett Ellison DNP, OUT
Erin Henderson, Full, Probable
A.J. Jefferson, Full, Probable
Cullen Loeffler, Full, Probable
Christian Ponder, DNP, OUT
Jamarca Sanford, DNP, OUT
Kevin Williams Full, Probable
The biggest news on the Vikings injury front is that Matt Cassel will be starting for the injured Christian Ponder. Ponder has a rib fracture and has been ruled out of Sunday’s game as a precaution.
The team had their final practice here in the states before boarding the plane for London this afternoon.
Limited: Heath Miller.
Full Participation: Le’Veon Bell, Steve McLendon, Cortez Allen, and Brett Keisel. Keisel sat out earlier this week due to his hamstring injury, but was a full participant today. Heath was limited today due to his knee.
Some good news on the injury front today.
Full Participation: Le’Veon Bell, Cortez Allen, and Steve McLendon.
Did Not Participate: Brett Keisel (hamstring)
Barring an unexpected setback, it’s looking very good for Bell and Allen to return to the field on Sunday. Keisel injured his hamstring during the Bears game, and McLendon has been battling a nagging hamstring injury, as well.
For the Steelers:
Landry Jones, Derek Moye, Le’Veon Bell, Cortez Allen, Isaiah Green, Cody Wallace, and Hebron Fangupo are inactive.
For the Bears:
WR Wilson, CB Wilson, RB Ford, G Brown, T Scott, DE Bass, DT Minter.
To the dismay of many, Derek Moye who has scored half of the Steelers touchdowns this season, is inactive tonight. Bell is also inactive, though Heath Miller will play. Felix Jones is listed as the starter at running back.