There was good news coming out of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Friday with three key cogs in the Steelers offense returning to practice for the first time this week.
James Conner (ankle), Vance McDonald (shoulder) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (toe) were all full participants in practice on Friday as the team prepares to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Heinz Field. McDonald and Smith-Schuster are both listed as questionable for Sunday, while Conner is not on the status report.
"It was good to get some rust off," said Conner. "I took a lot of mental reps this week."
Smith-Schuster said the toe injury was the same thing he was dealing with earlier in the season and getting on the field on Friday was good to get him in the groove for Sunday.
"I just wanted to get the plays down and make sure I know what I am doing," said Smith-Schuster.
If McDonald can go, the Steelers will have a full arsenal at tight end and it would be the first time that McDonald and newly acquired Nick Vannett would both be a part of the offense.
"I don't know what the plan is as far as that, but I think we're two very exciting players and we can do a lot," said Vannett. "It just gives the offensive coordinator plenty of options of what they want to do with us. You have both of us on the field, it just creates so many mismatch problems in the run game and in the pass game.
"I think it would be real exciting for the offense."
Anthony Chickillo (foot) and Roosevelt Nix (knee) have officially been ruled out for the game, Chickillo missing his third straight game and Nix missing his fourth game of the season.
The team is hoping to get Vince Williams back after he missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. Williams is listed as questionable for Sunday, although he was a full participant in practice all week.
In his absence Devin Bush and Mark Barron have been strong, but Williams' presence means a lot to the defense.
"It's fun to have Vince back at practice," said Bud Dupree. "He is a very experienced player. A very high-level player. Having him back in that enthusiasm role and as a spark. And as a mental role. He knows a lot. He is always on point. So, it's really important to have him out there."
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 5
Game Status
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - Out
LB Anthony Chickillo (Foot) - Out
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Toe) - Questionable
TE Vance McDonald (Shoulder) - Questionable
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - Questionable
Friday, October 4
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - DNP
LB Anthony Chickillo (Foot) - DNP
TE Vance McDonald (Shoulder) - Full
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Toe) - Full
RB James Conner (Ankle) - Full
DT Cam Heyward (Quadriceps) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (Not Injury Related) - Full
LB Mark Barron (Not Injury Related) - Full
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - Full
G Ramon Foster (Not Injury Related) - Full
Thursday, October 3
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - DNP
LB Anthony Chickillo (Foot) - DNP
TE Vance McDonald (Shoulder) - DNP
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Toe) - DNP
RB James Conner (Ankle) - DNP
DT Cam Heyward (Quadriceps) - Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (Not Injury Related) - Full
LB Mark Barron (Not Injury Related) - Full
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - Full
G Ramon Foster (Not Injury Related) - DNP
Wednesday, October 2
FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) - DNP
LB Anthony Chickillo (Foot) - DNP
TE Vance McDonald (Shoulder) - DNP
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Toe) - DNP
RB James Conner (Ankle) - DNP
DT Cam Heyward (Quadriceps) - DNP
C Maurkice Pouncey (Not Injury Related) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (Not Injury Related) - DNP
LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) - Full
Baltimore Ravens Participation/Injury Report, Week 5
Game Status
CB Jimmy Smith (Knee) - Out
C Matt Skura (Knee) - Questionable
CB Cyrus Jones (Foot) - Questionable
DT Brandon Williams (Knee) - Questionable
Friday, October 4
TE Mark Andrews (Foot) - Full
CB Jimmy Smith (Knee) - DNP
S Earl Thomas (Not Injury Related) - Full
DT Brandon Williams (Knee) - Full
C Matt Skura (Knee) - DNP
LB Pernell McPhee (Not Injury Related) - DNP
FB/DL Pat Ricard (Not Injury Related) - DNP
CB Cyrus Jones (Foot) - Limited
Thursday, October 3
TE Mark Andrews (Foot) - Limited
CB Jimmy Smith (Knee) - DNP
S Earl Thomas (Not Injury Related) - Full
DT Brandon Williams (Knee) - Limited
C Matt Skura (Knee) - DNP
Wednesday, October 2
TE Mark Andrews (Foot) - DNP
CB Jimmy Smith (Knee) - DNP
S Earl Thomas (Not Injury Related) - DNP
DT Brandon Williams (Knee) - DNP
DB Brynden Trawick (Elbow) - Limited
