Mike Hilton is primed to return to action on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field, after missing last week's game with an elbow injury.
Hilton said he has worn a brace on the elbow in practice this week, during which he was a full participant all three days. He plans to wear the brace on Sunday as well.
"I feel pretty good," said Hilton. "The brace is really giving me extra protection. It's giving me the confidence to go out there and use my hands and be the physical player I know I am. I will be ready to go on Sunday.
"I just want to feel comfortable. I don't want to have any repeats of what happened two weeks ago. It's more just for my protection. Everybody is going to be a little hesitant (coming back from an injury), especially early in the game. Of course, as the game builds, the confidence gets higher. I just want to go in confident on Sunday and be myself. (The brace) lets me go full out and be who I am, the type of player I am. I am going to be confident going out there. I am sure at first I will be a little hesitant, but as the game goes on I will be more confident."
While Hilton is expected to play and not on the status report, there are several players who are.
Morgan Burnett missed practice for the second straight day with a groin injury. Burnett was limited on Wednesday, but then wasn't able to go the last two days. If Burnett can't go, look for Terrell Edmunds to start his third straight game at strong safety and his fourth overall this season.
Vince Williams, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Ravens on Sunday night, missed practice all week.
If Williams can't go against the Falcons, look for a trio of linebackers to take on the challenge, including Tyler Matakevich, L.J. Fort and Matthew Thomas.
"We know we are ready," said Matakevich. "All three of us have got to be ready to go in there and rotate and help this defense and help this team, (do) whatever we can do to get this 'W.'"
Darrius Heyward-Bey suffered an ankle injury against the Ravens and missed practice all week. In addition, Marcus Gilbert was added to the practice report on Thursday, sitting out with a knee injury, but was back to work on Friday.
The full practice and status report is below:
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 5
Game Status
S Morgan Burnett (Groin) - Doubtful
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ankle) - Doubtful
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - Doubtful
Friday, 10/5
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Coaches Decision) - Full
K Chris Boswell (Left Foot) - Full
CB Joe Haden (Coaches Decision) - Full
CB Mike Hilton (Elbow) - Full
S Morgan Burnett (Groin) - DNP
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coaches Decision) - Full
OL Ramon Foster (Coaches Decision) - Full
OL Marcus Gilbert (Knee) - Full
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ankle) - DNP
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - DNP
Thursday, 10/4
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Coaches Decision) - Full
K Chris Boswell (Left Foot) - Full
CB Joe Haden (Coaches Decision) - Full
CB Mike Hilton (Elbow) - Full
S Morgan Burnett (Groin) - DNP
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coaches Decision) - Full
OL Ramon Foster (Coaches Decision) - DNP
OL Marcus Gilbert (Knee) - DNP
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ankle) - DNP
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - DNP
Wednesday, 10/3
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Coaches Decision) - DNP
K Chris Boswell (Left Foot) - Full
CB Joe Haden (Coaches Decision) - DNP
CB Mike Hilton (Elbow) - Full
S Morgan Burnett (Groin) - Limited
C Maurkice Pouncey (Coaches Decision) - DNP
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ankle) - DNP
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - DNP
Atlanta Falcons Participation/Injury Report, Week 5
Game Status
DE Derrick Shelby (Groin) - Out
CB Justin Bethal (Knee) - Out
DT Grady Jarrett (Ankle/Knee) - Out
Friday, 10/5
OLB Vic Beasley Jr. (Ankle) - Limited
RB Tevin Coleman (Shin) - Full
RE Devonte Freeman (Knee) - Full
LB Foyesade Oluokun (Ankle) - Full
WR Mohamed Sanu (Hip) - Full
DE Derrick Shelby (Groin) - Limited
CB Justin Bethal (Knee) - DNP
DT Grady Jarrett (Ankle/Knee) - DNP
WR Julio Jones (Hand/Ankle) - Limited
Thursday, 10/4
OLB Vic Beasley Jr. (Ankle) - Limited
RB Tevin Coleman (Shin) - Full
RE Devonte Freeman (Knee) - Full
LB Foyesade Oluokun (Ankle) - Limited
WR Mohamed Sanu (Hip) - Full
DE Derrick Shelby (Groin) - Limited
CB Justin Bethal (Knee) - DNP
DT Grady Jarrett (Ankle/Knee) - DNP
WR Julio Jones (Hand/Ankle) - Limited
Wednesday, 10/3
OLB Vic Beasley Jr. (Ankle) - Limited
RB Tevin Coleman (Shin) - Limited
RE Devonte Freeman (Knee) - Limited
LB Foyesade Oluokun (Ankle) - Limited
WR Mohamed Sanu (Hip) - Limited
DE Derrick Shelby (Groin) - Limited
CB Justin Bethal (Knee) - DNP
DT Grady Jarrett (Ankle/Knee) - DNP
WR Julio Jones (Hand/Ankle) - DNP
