The Pittsburgh Steelers will be hitting the road this Saturday after nine days off following two embarrassing losses. With the Steelers having Saturday games the next two weeks, everything gets shifted forward one day as the first practice comes on Tuesday.

In the final injury report this week courtesy of Steelers.com, there are two players were questionable and one who has been ruled out for

Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 15

Game Status

No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) – Out
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Concussion) – Questionable
No. 72 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) – Questionable

Thursday, December 14

No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) – DNP
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (Knee) – Full
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) – Full
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Ankle) – Full
No. 42 CB James Pierre (Shoulder) – Full
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Groin) – Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Concussion) – Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) – DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Concussion) – Full
No. 95 DT Keeanu Benton (Oblique) – Full
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (Groin) – Full

One player who did not practice because he was already ruled out for this week is quarterback Kenny Pickett. While some took the news on Monday as a surprise when Coach Tomlin announced Pickett was out, those with a realistic outlook on his injury see Week 17 as the earliest possible return.

Both of the Steelers starting outside linebackers entered into the NFL concussion protocol following last Thursday’s game. Alex Highsmith was ruled out of the game with a neck injury while T.J. Watt finished the game despite taking a knee to the face on the very first play. When it comes to their availability, it’s all about moving through the concussion protocol and an important first step in doing so is participating in practice in some manner. Both Watt and Highsmith were limited participants in Tuesday’s practice as their first step in moving through the protocol. On Wednesday, Watt progressed to a full participant and was later cleared of the protocol while Highsmith was once again limited. Thursday saw Highsmith as a full participant but still listed as questionable as he must officially come out of the NFL concussion protocol between now and Saturday.

UPDATE: Highsmith has officially been cleared by the independent neurologist and his questionable status for Saturday has been removed per Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten.

#Steelers LB Alex Highsmith has now been cleared by an independent neurological consultant and is no longer in the concussion protocol. His game status designation (originally listed as questionable) has changed and is expected to play on Saturday vs. the #Colts.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 14, 2023

New to the injury report on Wednesday was Diontae Johnson who missed practice with a knee injury. On Friday, Johnson returned as a full participant and has no injury status.

Missing last week’s game with a shoulder injury, James Pierre returned on Tuesday as a full participant. Wednesday and Thursday saw Pierre remain fully participating once again and he has no injury status for Week 15.

Two players who missed most of practice last week as they were dealing with injuries yet still were able to play in the game were linebacker Elandon Roberts with a groin injury and guard Isaac Seumalo with a shoulder. On Tuesday, neither player was able to participate in practice to start the week. Wednesday saw Roberts progress to a limited participant while Seumalo once again did not practice. Thursday brought a full practice from Roberts with no injury status while Seumalo was still not participating and is questionable for Saturday.

Last week Najee Harris popped up with a knee injury where he did not practice and was questionable for the game. Still able to play in Week 14, Harris starts off this week by not being able to take the field on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, Harris was back and a full participant with no injury status for Saturday.

Usually getting a veteran’s day off to start the week, Cam Heyward took to the practice field on Tuesday. But since he is still dealing with the remnants of a groin injury which required surgery at the beginning of the regular season, Heyward was only a limited participant on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday saw Heyward back in action, both times as a full participant and is good to go for Saturday.

Other members of the Steelers who were limited to start the week with various injuries were safety Damontae Kazee with an ankle, and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton with an oblique injury. On Wednesday, Kazee was back as a full participant while Benton was once again limited. Thursday saw both players as full participants and neither with an injury status for Week 15.

As for the Colts injury report, it can be seen here courtesy of Steelers.com.

Indianapolis Colts Participation/Injury Report, Week 15

Game Status
No. 50 LB Segun Olubi (Hip) – Questionable
No. 72 T Braden Smith (Knee) – Out
No. 28 RB Jonathan Taylor (Thumb) – Out

Thursday, December 14

No. 72 T Braden Smith (Knee) – DNP
No. 28 RB Jonathan Taylor (Thumb) – DNP
No. 99 DT DeForest Buckner (Back/NIR – Resting) – DNP
No. 50 LB Segun Olubi (Hip) – DNP
No. 29 CB JuJu Brents (Quadricep) – Full
No. 44 LB Zaire Franklin (Illness) – Full
No. 40 CB Jaylon Jones (Ankle) – Full
No. 86 TE Will Mallory (Rib) – Full
No. 45 LB E.J. Speed (Knee) – Full