The Steelers wrapped up preparation for Sunday's game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium and did so with a full slate of players.
For the first time in a long time the status report is empty. Nobody listed as questionable. Nobody listed as doubtful. And most importantly, nobody has been ruled out.
JuJu Smith-Schuster missed the last four games but was a full participant in practice the last two days. While he might not be back to full strength, he is good enough to not be listed on the status report. Smith-Schuster said he doesn't know what the plan is for him on Sunday, but he will do whatever Coach Mike Tomlin decides.
"I don't feel 100% but I am going to see what I can do," said Smith-Schuster. "It depends on what Coach says. It's coming along. It's a process. The knee is kind of tricky. You don't really know you are full go until you run your full speed, when you are getting hit, getting tackled. Hopefully I am able to go this week and play.
"I think at the end of the day, when it comes down to me playing this weekend it's a mental game. How strong can I tolerate the pain? It's a process I can take slow. Hopefully I am able to go this week and play with my boys."
Smith-Schuster said he feels like he can be an asset to the team if he does play, giving the offense another weapon they can use down the stretch.
"I think I can do a lot for this team, being a leader, being a role model for these guys," said Smith-Schuster, who said doing cardio has kept him ready to go the last few weeks. "Moreso just being out there and making plays. Being able to go out there and make those contested catches, doing what I usually do."
In addition, Vance McDonald has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to play on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 16
Game Status
None Listed
Friday, December 20
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) - Full
CB Artie Burns (Illness) - Full
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) - Full
OG David Decastro (NIR) - Full
OT Alejandro Villanueva (NIR) - Full
TE Vance McDonald (Concussion) - Full
LB T.J. Watt (NIR) - Full
CB Joe Haden (Foot) - Full
G Ramon Foster (NIR) - Full
TE Nick Vannett (Illness) - Full
Thursday, December 19
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) - Full
CB Artie Burns (Illness) - Full
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) - Full
OG David Decastro (NIR) - Full
OT Alejandro Villanueva (NIR) - Full
TE Vance McDonald (Concussion) - Full
LB T.J. Watt (NIR) - Full
CB Joe Haden (Foot) - DNP
G Ramon Foster (NIR) - DNP
TE Nick Vannett (Illness) - DNP
Wednesday, December 18
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) - Limited
CB Artie Burns (Illness) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - DNP
C Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) - DNP
OG David Decastro (NIR) - DNP
OT Alejandro Villanueva (NIR) - DNP
TE Vance McDonald (Concussion) - Full
LB T.J. Watt (NIR) - DNP
New York Jets Participation/Injury Report, Week 16
Game Status
OL Tom Compton (Calf) - Doubtful
WR Demaryius Thomas (Hamstring/Knee) - Doubtful
S Jamal Adams (Ankle) - Questionable
WR Robby Anderson (Illness) - Questionable
DL Henry Anderson (Shoulder) - Questionable
OT Kelvin Beachum (Ankle) - Questionable
CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) - Questionable
DL Steve Mclendon (Knee) - Questionable
CB Brian Poole (Concussion/Ankle) - Questionable
RB Bilal Powell (Ankle) - Questionable
DL Quinnen Williams (Neck) - Questionable
Friday, December 20
OL Tom Compton (Calf) - DNP
WR Demaryius Thomas (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
WR Robby Anderson (Illness) - Limited
S Jamal Adams (Ankle) - Limited
DL Henry Anderson (Shoulder) - Limited
OT Kelvin Beachum (Ankle) - Limited
CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) - Limited
DL Steve Mclendon (Knee) - Limited
CB Brian Poole (Concussion/Ankle) - Limited
RB Bilal Powell (Ankle) - Limited
DL Quinnen Williams (Neck) - Limited
LB B.J Bello (Illness) - Full
S Bennett Jackson (Illness) - Full
CB Maurice Canady (Shoulder) - Full
QB Sam Darnold (Knee/ Left Thumb) - Full
QB David Fales (Right Elbow) - Full
DL Kyle Phillips (Hip) - Full
OL Brent Qvale (Knee) - Full
DL Nate Shepherd (Rib/Ankle) - Full
S Blake Countess (Ankle) - Full
Thursday, December 19
WR Robby Anderson (Illness) - DNP
OL Tom Compton (Calf) - DNP
WR Demaryius Thomas (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
S Jamal Adams (Ankle) - Limited
DL Henry Anderson (Shoulder) - Limited
OT Kelvin Beachum (Ankle) - Limited
CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) - Limited
DL Steve Mclendon (Knee) - Limited
CB Brian Poole (Concussion/Ankle) - Limited
RB Bilal Powell (Ankle) - Limited
DL Quinnen Williams (Neck) - Limited
LB B.J Bello (Illness) - Full
S Bennett Jackson (Illness) - Full
CB Maurice Canady (Shoulder) - Full
QB Sam Darnold (Knee/ Left Thumb) - Full
QB David Fales (Right Elbow) - Full
DL Kyle Phillips (Hip) - Full
OL Brent Qvale (Knee) - Full
DL Nate Shepherd (Rib/Ankle) - Full
S Blake Countess (Ankle) - Full
Wednesday, December 18
OL Tom Compton (Calf) - DNP
WR Demaryius Thomas (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
S Jamal Adams (Ankle) - Limited
DL Henry Anderson (Shoulder) - Limited
OT Kelvin Beachum (Ankle) - Limited
LB B.J Bello (Illness) - Limited
S Bennett Jackson (Illness) - Limited
CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) - Limited
DL Steve Mclendon (Knee) - Limited
CB Brian Poole (Concussion) - Limited
RB Bilal Powell (Ankle) - Limited
DL Quinnen Williams (Neck) - Limited
CB Maurice Canady (Shoulder) - Full
QB Sam Darnold (Knee/ Left Thumb) - Full
QB David Fales (Right Elbow) - Full
DL Kyle Phillips (Hip) - Full
OL Brent Qvale (Knee) - Full
DL Nate Shepherd (Rib/Ankle) - Full
