The Steelers will head into Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field with a new kicker, after Chris Boswell was placed on injured reserve on Friday morning.
The team signed Matt McCrane, who played with the Raiders and Cardinals this season. McCrane has converted on five-of-nine field goal attempts and all five extra points this year.
"Boz experienced some discomfort on Sunday in performing in the game," said Coach Mike Tomlin after Friday's practice. "His usual work day is Thursday. We waited to see the ramifications of that yesterday. He was a full participant yesterday but felt some discomfort after. We felt it was necessary to make a move."
Antonio Brown missed practice again on Friday, out with a knee injury. Brown was given the day off on Wednesday but missed Thursday and Friday's practices with the knee injury. He is questionable for Sunday's game, but being a veteran could still play without practicing.
"Coming out of the game AB was experiencing some knee discomfort," said Tomlin. "I gave him a vet day on Wednesday. He got in here yesterday and didn't feel comfortable enough to do it. We sent him for tests today. We'll get the results of those tests and have more information. He is a veteran player. If he gets better not a lot of physical repetitions needed to perform. We'll see where all of that goes."
The defense could be without one of their main keys in stopping the run. Vince Williams, who has a toe injury, missed practice for the third straight day and is doubtful for Sunday.
Sean Davis was back to work after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a quadriceps injury. Davis was a full participant in Friday's practice, but is questionable for the game. A healthy Davis will be an asset to the defense who is going to need to stop the run game, which has been a focus for the Bengals with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green both on injured reserve. In addition Tyler Boyd was placed on injured reserve on Friday.
"I always played against Dalton and Green," said Davis. "We are anticipating a lot of Joe Mixon ball. We have to be prepared to stop the run. They have (Jeff) Driskel (at quarterback). He is a good guy. He is very mobile. He ran a 4.5 at the combine. That is on notice for all of us. It's been talked about. We know it. It's not a secret. Everybody knows it. We have to keep the quarterback contained."
James Conner was a full participant in practice for the third-straight day. Conner has missed the last three games with an ankle injury and goes into the game as questionable.
The full practice report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
S Sean Davis (Quadriceps) - Questionable
RB James Conner (Ankle) -Questionable
WR Antonio Brown (Coach's Decision/Knee) - Questionable
LB Vince Williams (Toe) - Doubtful
Friday, December 28
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Coach's Decision) - Full
S Sean Davis (Quadriceps) - Full
RB James Conner (Ankle) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coach's Decision) - Full
G Ramon Foster (Coach's Decision) - Full
WR Antonio Brown (Coach's Decision/Knee) - DNP
LB Vince Williams (Toe) - DNP
Thursday, December 27
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Coach's Decision) - Full
S Sean Davis (Quadriceps) - DNP
RB James Conner (Ankle) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coach's Decision) - Full
G Ramon Foster (Coach's Decision) - DNP
WR Antonio Brown (Coach's Decision/Knee) - DNP
LB Vince Williams (Toe) - DNP
Wednesday, December 26
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Coach's Decision) - DNP
S Sean Davis (Quadriceps) - DNP
RB James Conner (Ankle) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coach's Decision) - DNP
WR Antonio Brown (Coach's Decision) - DNP
LB Vince Williams (Toe) - DNP
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
WR Tyler Boyd (Knee) - Out (IR)
LB Vontaze Burfict (Concussion) - Out
LB Jordan Evans (Ankle) - Out (IR)
CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Shoulder) - Out (IR)
CB Tony McRae (Hamstring) - Out
Friday, December 28
WR Tyler Boyd (Knee) - DNP
LB Vontaze Burfict (Concussion) - DNP
CB Darqueze Dennard (Wrist) - Full
LB Jordan Evans (Ankle) - DNP
CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Shoulder) - DNP
CB Tony McRae (Hamstring) - DNP
DT Christian Ringo (Knee) - Full
S Shawn Williams (Pectoral) - Full
Thursday, December 27
WR Tyler Boyd (Knee) - DNP
LB Vontaze Burfict (Concussion) - DNP
CB Darqueze Dennard (Wrist) - Full
LB Jordan Evans (Ankle) - DNP
CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Shoulder) - DNP
CB Tony McRae (Hamstring) - DNP
DT Christian Ringo (Knee) - Full
S Shawn Williams (Pectoral) - Full
Wednesday, December 26
WR Tyler Boyd (Knee) - DNP
LB Vontaze Burfict (Concussion) - DNP
CB Darqueze Dennard (Wrist) - Full
LB Jordan Evans (Ankle) - DNP
CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Shoulder) - DNP
CB Tony McRae (Hamstring) - DNP
DT Christian Ringo (Knee) - Full
S Shawn Williams (Pectoral) - Full
