The Steelers wrapped up their preparation on Tuesday, putting a Christmas Eve bow on the final details for Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and receiver Ben Skowronek didn't practice once again and have been ruled out. Quarterback Justin Fields is questionable .
Receiver George Pickens returned to practice this week with the outlook positive for his return on Christmas Day.
It's a no-brainer that getting Pickens back would be a boost for the offense, something that will be welcomed after two straight losses.
"I think it's self-explanatory," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "He is a splash playmaker. He's a one-on-one playmaker. Oftentimes he controls schematics, which creates one-on-ones for others, or a light box regarding the run.
"But that's what talented, outside people do. Not only George, but anybody that has talented outside people."
In addition to getting Pickens back, the Steelers are looking to have safety DeShon Elliott, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and cornerback Donte Jackson back.
Jackson said he is feeling good.
"Good enough to go," said Jackson. "Just get out there, ready to duke it out."
Ogunjobi, who missed the Ravens game with a groin injury, feels like he will be good to go too.
"I should be good to go," said Ogunjobi. 'It'll be good to get back out there."
Wednesday's game against the Chiefs will be the Steelers third game in 11 days, all games against playoff teams. And at this point of the season, physical practices aren't a possibility.
That is why Tomlin said they prepare in training camp for times like this.
"That is money already in the bank," said Tomlin. "That's why we approach team development the way that we do. That's why we tackle in Latrobe every day that we have pads on. That's why we do not run away from building skill in that area and a mindset in that area at the early stages of team development, because we realize you don't get an opportunity to recoup that, particularly with how practices are scheduled in today's NFL.
"You get a limited number of padded practices at the early portions of the season. You get less at the end. And so that's why I'm so committed to hardening our group in the team development process because these physical games come down and you better be ready for them."
With Porter dealing with the knee injury he suffered against the Ravens, fellow cornerback Cory Trice Jr. could see increased playing time for the second straight week.
Trice stepped in last week when Porter left the Ravens game, and the challenge this week isn't any easier as the Steelers face the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
"Cory has done a nice job in practice, and he did a nice job (Saturday) when given an opportunity to get back on the moving train," said Tomlin. "And he has done so earlier in the year, and so I expect more of the same from him.
"In terms of competing against a guy like Mahomes, he'd better just focus on his fundamentals in his game. He doesn't have enough of a resume to get preoccupied with what Mahomes is doing. He needs to focus on his game and his quality of play, his eyes, his techniques, his fundamentals, and I'm sure that he will."
Trice, who dealt with injuries of his own throughout his rookie season and again this year, said he is definitely ready for the challenge again this week.
"I was out there our last game for us so I'm always going to feel like I'm ready," said Trice. "I prepare every day. I definitely feel like I'm ready.
"Playing on Christmas and playing against Mahomes, I'm itching to make a play against Mahomes. Just make sure we execute when the calls come."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - Questionable
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hip) - Out
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Knee) - Out
Tuesday, December 24
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - Limited
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - Full
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hip) - DNP
No. 18 WR Mike Williams (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - Full
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - Full
No. 44 LB Tyler Matakevich (Knee) - Full
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Full
Monday, December 23
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - Limited
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - Full
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hip) - DNP
No. 18 WR Mike Williams (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - Full
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - Full
No. 44 LB Tyler Matakevich (Knee) - Full
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Full
Steelers held a walkthrough on Monday.
Sunday, December 22
No. 2 QB Justin Fields (Abdominal) - DNP
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Hip) - DNP
No. 18 WR Mike Williams (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - Limited
No. 44 LB Tyler Matakevich (Knee) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Limited
The Steelers did not hold practice, Sunday's report is an estimation.
Kansas City Chiefs Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
No. 27 DB Chamarri Conner (Concussion) - Out
No. 70 T D.J. Humphries (Hamstring) - Out
No. 95 DL Chris Jones (Calf) - Questionable
No. 74 T Jawaan Taylor (Knee) - Questionable
Tuesday, December 24
No. 27 DB Chamarri Conner (Concussion) - DNP
No. 70 T D.J. Humphries (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 95 DL Chris Jones (Calf) - Limited
No. 74 T Jawaan Taylor (Knee) - Limited
No. 52 C Creed Humphrey (Shoulder) - Full
No. 15 QB Patrick Mahomes (Ankle) - Full
No. 20 S Justin Reid (Back) - Full
No. 81 WR Nikkom Remigio (Knee) - Full
No. 2 CB Josh Williams (Ankle/Elbow) - Full
No. 1 WR Xavier Worthy (Ankle) - Full
** No. 81 TE Peyton Hendershot (Calf) - Full
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Monday, December 23
No. 27 DB Chamarri Conner (Concussion) - DNP
No. 70 T D.J. Humphries (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 95 DL Chris Jones (Calf) - DNP
No. 74 T Jawaan Taylor (Knee) - Limited
No. 52 C Creed Humphrey (Shoulder) - Full
No. 15 QB Patrick Mahomes (Ankle) - Full
No. 20 S Justin Reid (Back) - Full
No. 81 WR Nikkom Remigio (Knee) - Full
No. 2 CB Josh Williams (Ankle/Elbow) - Full
No. 1 WR Xavier Worthy (Ankle) - Full
** No. 81 TE Peyton Hendershot (Calf) - Full
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Sunday, December 22
No. 27 DB Chamarri Conner (Concussion) - DNP
No. 70 T D.J. Humphries (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 43 LB Jack Cochrane (Ankle) - DNP
No. 95 DL Chris Jones (Calf) - DNP
No. 74 T Jawaan Taylor (Knee) - Limited
No. 52 C Creed Humphrey (Shoulder) - Full
No. 15 QB Patrick Mahomes (Ankle) - Full
No. 20 S Justin Reid (Back) - Full
No. 81 WR Nikkom Remigio (Knee) - Full
No. 2 CB Josh Williams (Ankle/Elbow) - Full
No. 1 WR Xavier Worthy (Ankle) - Full
Sunday's report is an estimation.
