Updated on 12/20: Safety DeShon Elliott has been downgraded to out for Saturday's game against the Ravens. This will be the second straight game Elliott will miss with his hamstring injury.
Thursday injury report: The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, with health a hot topic this week.
Receiver George Pickens, linebacker T.J. Watt, safety DeShon Elliott, cornerback Donte Jackson, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and quarterback Justin Fields are among those who have been dealing with injuries.
Pickens and Fields have been ruled out for Saturday, Elliott is out (was listed as doubtful on original injury report on Thursday 12/19), Ogunjobi and Jackson are questionable, while Watt has no injury designation.
The Steelers were without Pickens the last two weeks as he has been dealing with a hamstring injury.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith knows teams will defend against them differently without Pickens, but they just have to be ready for it.
"Probably changes their calls schematically, and that is your job," said Smith. "Nobody cares. Nobody is feeling sorry for you on the other side. You have to have the mindset nobody is coming to rescue you.
"I think sometimes in this league you want your best players out there. When they're not, what are you going to do about it? I think sometimes people fall into that victimhood of complaining and whining. That ball is kicking off at 4:30, whatever time on Saturday, and we got to go win. We've got to be better at the things we can all do.
"Sometimes change up some scheme things or sometimes just as simple as executing a better block up front or running a better route or delivering a better ball.
"A lot goes into it. Obviously like to have everybody. That's not the reality. You've got to find a way to problem solve."
Coach Mike Tomlin made it clear earlier this week that any players who are healthy will play on Saturday, especially with the AFC North title on the line.
"If they're healthy and available, they go. And that's generally the mindset that we're in," said Tomlin. "This is a big game. We have an opportunity to solidify the division this week, and so rest assured that healthy people are going to play in this game.
"Those that are capable of playing, are going to play in this game and we're not going to look ahead to potentially what happens on the other side of it. We've got definitive, tangible things to pursue this week. Divisional championship. I think that merits all hands on deck.
"We're playing for a division title this week. Those that are healthy will play."
Elliott missed last week's game against the Eagles, and if he can't go on Saturday, it will create some changes on the defense just like it did last week.
"It's changes us a little bit in terms of job description and who does what, but in terms of structure, didn't change us a ton," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "So, we'll see. Hopefully he'll be back out here this week, and we'll get back to that.
"The biggest thing with him, though, is in terms of how physical he plays and the temperament he brings and the things he does in the run game are pretty exceptional. I think the guy has been having a great year.
"We know all about T.J. and those guys. But I think quietly this guy has been having an outstanding yeah, really top-notch."
While Austin classifies him as having a top-notch season, he also understands the next man up mentality has to be in play.
"It's kind of what the NFL is all about," said Austin. "You're going to lose guys from time to time. The guys behind, we have confidence in them coming in and playing and being able to hold the job down and get it done.
"Doesn't mean they'll get it done the same way. Nevertheless, counting on them to get it done. That's how we'll move forward. We don't have a pity party because we are losing somebody. Everybody is missing people at this point of the year.
"The biggest thing is how do the guys that have to step into roles, how do they do when their opportunity is presented to them."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 16
Game Status
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - Out
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - Out
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - Out - Downgraded on 12/20
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - Questionable
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Questionable
Thursday, December 19
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - DNP
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - Limited
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Ankle) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Limited
Wednesday, December 18
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - DNP
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Ankle) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Limited
Pittsburgh held a walkthrough on Wednesday
Tuesday, December 17
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - DNP
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Ankle) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Limited
Pittsburgh held a walkthrough on Tuesday
Baltimore Ravens Participation/Injury Report, Week 16
Game Status
No. 5 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Hamstring) - Out
No. 15 WR Nelson Agholor (Concussion) - Downgraded to Out on 12/20
No. 7 WR Rashod Bateman (Foot) - Questionable
No. 77 G Daniel Faalele (Knee) - Questionable
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (NIR - Personal) - Out
No. 99 OLB Odafe Oweh (Ankle) - Questionable
Thursday, December 19
No. 5 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 15 WR Nelson Agholor (Concussion) - DNP
No. 7 WR Rashod Bateman (Foot) - DNP
No. 77 G Daniel Faalele (Knee) - Limited
No. 43 RB Justice Hill (NIR - Personal) - Full
No. 50 OLB Adisa Isaac (Hamstring) - Full
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 28 S Sanoussi Kane (Hamstring) - Full
No. 99 OLB Odafe Oweh (Ankle) - Limited
** No. 27 CB T.J. Tampa (Ankle) - Full
No. 29 S Ar'Darius Washington (Ankle) - FullW
Baltimore held a walkthrough on Thursday
** Injured Reserve/Designated for Return to Practice
Wednesday, December 18
No. 5 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 15 WR Nelson Agholor (Concussion) - DNP
No. 7 WR Rashod Bateman (Foot) - Limited
No. 77 G Daniel Faalele (Knee) - Limited
No. 43 RB Justice Hill (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 50 OLB Adisa Isaac (Hamstring) - Full
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 28 S Sanoussi Kane (Hamstring) - Full
No. 99 OLB Odafe Oweh (Ankle) - Limited
** No. 27 CB T.J. Tampa (Ankle) - Full
No. 29 S Ar'Darius Washington (Ankle) - Limited
** Injured Reserve/Designated for Return to Practice
Tuesday, December 17
No. 5 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 15 WR Nelson Agholor (Concussion) - DNP
No. 77 G Daniel Faalele (Knee) - Limited
No. 50 OLB Adisa Isaac (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 28 S Sanoussi Kane (Hamstring) - Limited
** No. 27 CB T.J. Tampa (Ankle) - Full
No. 29 S Ar'Darius Washington (Ankle) - Limited
Baltimore held a walkthrough on Tuesday
** Injured Reserve/Designated for Return to Practice
