The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals and they got some good news today.
Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was cleared by an independent neurological consultant and is no longer in the concussion protocol.
They also found out quarterback Kenny Pickett won't play, ruled out for the third straight game, and safety Trenton Thompson has also been ruled out with a stinger.
It will be Mason Rudolph who starts on Saturday, taking over for Mitch Trubisky who was pulled against the Colts.
"Mason has a confidence about him," said offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner. "We feel good about inserting him in. Mason works like a pro. Always has. From that standpoint, we feel confident putting him in there.
"I was here with him in '19 when he was really kind of the starter for the season and did some good things, so I kind of have that background and some comfort there. I expect him to go in and execute."
One thing that has been known all week is they will be without safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
With Fitzpatrick out, and Damontae Kazee serving a suspension, the team will be leaning on multiple players at the spot.
One such player will be veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson.
"When we talked to Pat in the offseason about bringing him here, that was one of the things that was exciting about him and he was excited about, was the opportunity to do some different things," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "He played a little bit of safety in some of our dime package, so when we had those extreme circumstances hit, it was only natural that he move there. He has done some things there and he does have a skillset for it.
"I think moving forward, I still see him as a corner, nickel, that slash guy that does it. Moving forward have to play it by ear and see where we are in terms of depth and what we need from him. I don't think it's a full-time move in the interim."
Austin said other than Peterson he isn't sure what the definite options will be at safety as some potentials are dealing with injuries too.
"We'll figure it out when we get to Friday," said Austin. "We have some guys practicing and those guys that make it, we'll suit them up and go with it.
"Can I sit here and say that I can definitively tell you who we have? No. We'll figure it out when we get there."
Pro Bowl voting is in the final stages: Voting is now open for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the second year for the new-look games.
Fans can vote for their favorite Steelers players now through Dec. 25.
Cast your votes today.
Click on the links to go to the Steelers page and vote for players below as well.
During the final two weeks of voting (Dec. 11 – Dec. 25), fans can vote directly on "X" (formerly Twitter) by tweeting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player's official Twitter handle or creating a hashtag including the player's first and last name. All three of these methods must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote. During the final two days (Dec. 24 – Dec. 25), social votes will count as double.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 16
Game Status
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Out
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - Out
No. 37 S Elijah Riley** (Ankle) - Questionable
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - Out
Thursday, December 21
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - Full
No. 37 S Elijah Riley** (Ankle) - Full
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 77 OT Broderick Jones (Ankle) - Full
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Knee) - Full
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (Concussion) - Full
** On IR, within 21-day window
Wednesday, December 20
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - Full
No. 37 S Elijah Riley** (Ankle) - Full
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 77 OT Broderick Jones (Ankle) - Full
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Knee) - Full
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (Concussion) - Full
** On IR, within 21-day window
Tuesday, December 19
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - DNP
No. 37 S Elijah Riley** (Ankle) - Limited
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 77 OT Broderick Jones (Ankle) - Limited
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Knee) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (Concussion) - Limited
** On IR, within 21-day window
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 16
Game Status
No. 1 WR Ja'Marr Chase (Shoulder) - Out
Thursday, December 21
No. 1 WR Ja'Marr Chase (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 30 HB Chase Brown (Chest) - Full
No. 65 G Alex Cappa (Knee/Ankle) - Full
No. 96 DE Cameron Sample (Knee/Ankle) - Full
No. 49 LB Joe Bachie (Oblique) - Full
No. 6 QB Jake Browning (Right Forearm) - Full
No. 79 OT Jackson Carman (Illness) - Full
Wednesday, December 20
No. 1 WR Ja'Marr Chase (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 30 HB Chase Brown (Chest) - Full
No. 65 G Alex Cappa (Knee/Ankle) - Full
No. 96 DE Cameron Sample (Knee/Ankle) - Full
No. 49 LB Joe Bachie (Oblique) - Full
No. 6 QB Jake Browning (Right Forearm) - Full
No. 79 OT Jackson Carman (Illness) - Full
Tuesday, December 19
No. 1 WR Ja'Marr Chase (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 30 HB Chase Brown (Chest) - Limited
No. 65 G Alex Cappa (Knee/Ankle) - Limited
No. 96 DE Cameron Sample (Knee/Ankle) - Limited
No. 49 LB Joe Bachie (Oblique) - Full
No. 6 QB Jake Browning (Right Forearm) - Full
No. 79 OT Jackson Carman (Illness) - Full
