The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, practicing inside at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex with the weather outside not cooperating.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith is listed as doubtful, still dealing with the ankle injury that sidelined him the last two weeks. In addition, cornerback Cory Trice Jr. and defensive tackle Montravius Adams Sr. have both been ruled out. The two are still on the Reserve/Injured (Designated for Return) List. All three players were limited on Friday.
Other than the above, the team will go into the Bengals game a relatively healthy group, something that is needed this time of year when injuries mount and everyone is feeling the bumps and bruises as December football hits.
"December football hits different," said nose tackle Keeanu Benton, who is dealing with a hip injury. "It's the attrition part. Obviously, guys could be banged up. Teams aren't what they were in the beginning of the season. Teams could either excel or they could decline throughout December ball for sure.
"I think the key is staying healthy. Making sure that you're communicating still. Don't take your foot off the gas in terms of communicating with your teammates. Making sure everything's aligned, making sure you're taking care of your job and not trying to do too much. Not thinking you're too good."
The Steelers are in the midst of a four-game stretch of games against AFC North opponents, with Sunday being the third in row. And being healthy makes a difference when you are fighting against divisional foes.
"There's strength in numbers, and obviously we need all the expertise that we can get as the road gets narrow and this competition gets thick as we move into December," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "I love (AFC North games), to be quite honest with you, in the latter part of the year as the road gets narrow because there's weight on it.
"As a competitor, you like to be in big moments and big games, and so that's exciting."
For young players, especially rookies who are accustomed to a college season, this is the time of year when they have to pay the most attention to their bodies and make sure they are ready for the final push to the postseason.
"I was telling Payton (Wilson) some stuff," said linebacker Tyler Matakevich. "A lot of these young guys, if they were in college, the season would be almost over, they would be getting ready for their bowl game.
"Here, we are just getting started. We're starting to crank it up a little bit because now all these games mean something. I think that's an important part that guys try to tell these young players, how important each of these games are. Every game is important, but once you get to December, every single game is so important."
Wilson has been watching the way the veterans are handling this point of the season, making sure he is mimicking the things they are doing so he is ready for the long haul.
"It's the professionalism they have when it comes to their bodies, how they survive 17 games, plus three preseason games, plus the postseason, if you're lucky enough to make it," said Wilson. "It's just been really cool to see guys like Elandon (Roberts) take such good care of his body in the way that he goes throughout his week. And T.J. (Watt), Cam (Heyward), Minkah (Fitzpatrick), all those older veteran guys taking care of their bodies. It shows a lot."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Game Status
No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Out
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Doubtful
No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Out
Friday, November 29
** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Limited
** No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Illness) - Full
No. 95 DT Keeanu Benton (Hip) - Full
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Thursday, November 28
** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - Limited
** No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Illness) - DNP
No. 95 DT Keeanu Benton (Hip) - Limited
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Wednesday, November 27
** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - DNP
** No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting Vet) - Limited
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Game Status
No. 75 OT Orlando Brown Jr. (Fibula) - Questionable
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Groin) - Doubtful
No. 98 DT Sheldon Rankins (Illness) - Questionable
No. 55 LB Logan Wilson (Knee) - Out
Friday, November 29
No. 49 LB Joe Bachie (Hip) - Full
No. 75 OT Orlando Brown Jr. (Fibula) - Full
No. 9 QB Joe Burrow (Wrist) - Full
No. 5 WR Tee Higgins (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Groin) - DNP
No. 71 DT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Full
No. 98 DT Sheldon Rankins (Illness) - DNP
No. 55 LB Logan Wilson (Knee) - DNP
Thursday, November 28
No. 49 LB Joe Bachie (Hip) - Limited
No. 75 OT Orlando Brown Jr. (Fibula) - Limited
No. 9 QB Joe Burrow (Wrist) - Full
No. 5 WR Tee Higgins (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Groin) - Limited
No. 71 DT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Limited
No. 98 DT Sheldon Rankins (Illness) - DNP
No. 55 LB Logan Wilson (Knee) - DNP
Wednesday, November 27
No. 49 LB Joe Bachie (Hip) - Limited
No. 75 OT Orlando Brown Jr. (Fibula) - Limited
No. 9 QB Joe Burrow (Wrist) - Full
No. 5 WR Tee Higgins (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Groin) - Limited
No. 71 DT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Limited
No. 98 DT Sheldon Rankins (Illness) - DNP
No. 55 LB Logan Wilson (Knee) - DNP
