The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Thursday's game against the New England Patriots, holding a full practice today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
As has been known since the beginning of the week, quarterback Kenny Pickett has been ruled out after undergoing surgery for a high ankle sprain. Also ruled out is cornerback James Pierre, who is dealing with a shoulder injury.
In addition, linebacker Elandon Roberts (groin), running back Najee Harris (knee), center Mason Cole (neck) and guard Isaac Seumalo (shoulder) are all questionable. Harris and Seumalo didn't practice on Friday, while Roberts and Cole were limited.
With Pickett out, it will be Mitch Trubisky that will get the start at quarterback.
"Mitch prepares week in and week out like he's the starter," said offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner. "You feel perfectly fine with him going in there because he does everything he needs to do to be duly prepared for the opponent we have. From that standpoint, we don't have any anxiety about him going in there and being able to produce.
"The one thing I've noticed about Mitch is he hasn't flinched at all. Like going back to last year, he comes in every day, has his hard hat on to go to work. That makes you feel good as a coach because you know he's preparing himself the proper way. I don't think anything's changed from when he's been a starter."
Trubisky said he plans on being aggressive and doesn't mind taking shots downfield.
"We're trying to score points," said Trubisky. "I'm going to be aggressive. I'm going to take care of the football, and we've got to play better as an offense. We're going against a good defense this week that is well-coached. So, we've got to do our job and execute.
"We want to be an aggressive offense. So, whatever that means, taking care of football, we've got to find ways to score points. That's the bottom line."
On the defensive side, if Roberts can't go, communication will be a key factor as he is a hub of communication for the unit.
"We say next man up mentality and we mean it," said linebacker T.J. Watt. "At the same time, it's hard to replace a veteran that has that cool, calm demeanor to command a huddle defensively. That was part of last week and hopefully he's able to go this week. I'm not sure what the status is.
"It's hard because you can't simulate reps. There's only so many reps to go around this time of year. Guys that are put into games that aren't necessarily starters, they don't get as many reps as a starter, so that's where the communication amongst the group can be tough.
"Communication, I sat here and talked about it a week ago, is a key. The home games present communication problems for defense, especially defenses that have new players in positions they haven't been before. And that's what the situation was last week, when you have players that haven't started the season where they are now. Communication is amplified, especially in a home environment when the crowd is loud. That's first and foremost the priority this week."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 14
Game Status
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Out
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - Questionable
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Shoulder) - Out
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Groin) - Questionable
No. 61 C Mason Cole (Neck) - Questionable
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - Questionable
Wednesday, December 6
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - DNP
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Hand) - Full
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Groin) - Limited
No. 57 DT Montravious Adams (Ankle) - Full
No. 61 C Mason Cole (Neck) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 95 DT Keeanu Benton (Oblique) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting/Groin) - Limited
Tuesday, December 5
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - DNP
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Hand) - Full
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Groin) - Limited
No. 57 DT Montravious Adams (Ankle) - Full
No. 61 C Mason Cole (Neck) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 95 DT Keeanu Benton (Oblique) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting/Groin) - Limited
** Tuesday's report is an estimation, as the Steelers held a walk-through
Monday, December 4
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - DNP
No. 20 CB Patrick Peterson (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Hand) - Full
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Groin) - DNP
No. 57 DT Montravious Adams (Ankle) - Full
No. 61 C Mason Cole (Neck) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 95 DT Keeanu Benton (Oblique) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting/Groin) - DNP
** Monday's report is an estimation, the Steelers did not hold practice
New England Patriots Participation/Injury Report, Week 14
Game Status
No. 80 WR Kayshon Boutte (Shoulder) - Out
No. 81 WR Demario Douglas (Concussion) - Out
No. 38 RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Ankle) - Out
No. 26 CB Shaun Wade (Illness) - Out
No. 90 DL Christian Barmore (Shoulder) - Questionable
No. 77 OL Trent Brown (Ankle/Hand) - Questionable
No. 1 WR DeVante Parker (Knee) - Questionable
No. 74 OL Riley Reiff (Knee) - Out
No. 7 WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ankle) - Questionable
Wednesday, December 6
No. 80 WR Kayshon Boutte (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 81 WR Demario Douglas (Concussion) - DNP
No. 38 RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Ankle) - DNP
No. 26 CB Shaun Wade (Illness) - Limited
No. 90 DL Christian Barmore (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 77 OL Trent Brown (Ankle/Hand) - Limited
No. 1 WR DeVante Parker (Knee) - Limited
No. 74 OL Riley Reiff (Knee) - Limited
No. 7 WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ankle) - Limited
Tuesday, December 5
No. 80 WR Kayshon Boutte (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 81 WR Demario Douglas (Concussion) - DNP
No. 38 RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Ankle) - DNP
No. 90 DL Christian Barmore (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 45 LB Chris Board (Back) - Limited
No. 77 OL Trent Brown (Ankle/Hand) - Limited
No. 1 WR DeVante Parker (Knee) - Limited
No. 74 OL Riley Reiff (Knee) - Limited
No. 7 WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ankle) - Limited
Monday, December 4
No. 80 WR Kayshon Boutte (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 81 WR Demario Douglas (Concussion) - DNP
No. 38 RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Ankle) - DNP
No. 26 CB Shaun Wade (Illness) - DNP
No. 91 DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (Illness) - DNP
No. 90 DL Christian Barmore (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 45 LB Chris Board (Back) - Limited
No. 77 OL Trent Brown (Ankle/Hand) - Limited
No. 15 RB Ezekiel Elliott (Thigh) - Limited
No. 1 WR DeVante Parker (Knee) - Limited
No. 74 OL Riley Reiff (Knee) - Limited
No. 7 WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ankle) - Limited
No. 62 OL Sidy Sow (Ankle) - Limited
** Monday's report is an estimation, the Patriots did not hold practice
