Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton was absent from yesterday’s Steelers practice with an ankle injury. He was new to the injury list. As expected, wide receivers Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek missed practice, Wilson with a dislocated finger and Skowronek with a calf injury. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey sat out with his broken wrist, although he has played the last two games with it and is expected to play with it again on Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Cornerback Jamel Dean and safety DeShon Elliott were limited, as was running back Rico Dowdle.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t seem especially concerned with the injured receiving corps, even though he’s down to DK Metcalfe and rookies Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen on the 53-man roster. The Steelers also have veterans Brandon Smith, Brandon Johnson, and Isaiah Hodgins on the practice squad and tight end Robert Tonyan is also a trusted target for Rodgers.
Rodgers will be expecting to get the ball out of his hands quickly on Sunday, with the elaborate pass rushes designed by Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
The quarterback says the wide receivers and Tonyan are capable of making plays.
The Steelers are 3-0 at home, 0-2 on the road. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward says there’s a simple way to turn that record around.
Heyward says the injuries on the defensive front hurt the team, especially with the loss of budding star Derrick Harmon to a knee injury, but he says it opens a door for young guys to make an impact.
After accounting for 188 yards of total offense and scoring on an 80-yard catch-and-run and a 50-yard dash on Sunday against the Colts, the Steelers’ Jaylen Warren is the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. It’s the first time in his five-year career that Warren has won the award.
The Broncos host the Seahawks tonight in Denver, kicking off Week Six of the NFL season.
