The Pittsburgh Steelers exited Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season not only with a crushing loss, but with a myriad of injuries. With Cam Heyward and Diontae Johnson already ruled out for this week, and the potential one or both could land on the Reserve/Injured List (IR) in the coming days, the Steelers have other players who are banged up who they are hoping to be available for Monday night against the Cleveland Browns.

With the Steelers having an extra day before their next game, their first injury report comes today, Thursday, and will have an additional report the next two days. In the first injury report this week courtesy of Steelers.com, there are six names that appear on the list.

Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 2

Thursday, September 14
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (Hamstring) – DNP
No. 26 RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee) – DNP
No. 76 OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Concussion) – Limited
No. 78 OL James Daniels (Ankle) – Limited
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Chest) – Limited
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Foot) – Limited

With Cam Heyward having surgery and expected to miss up to eight weeks, we was just placed on IR today. For this reason, Heyward will NOT show up on the Steelers injury report as not participating.

With Diontae Johnson’s hamstring injury, it is not beyond the possibility of him landing on IR but the move may not be necessary. Either way, Johnson is not expected to play on Monday and obviously did not participate in practice on Thursday.

A player who was not expected to land on this list as he was not listed as an injury following the game or in Mike Tomlin’s press conference on Tuesday is running back Anthony McFarland. Listed with a knee injury, McFarland did not participate at all and practice on Thursday leaving his availability for Monday in question.

Dealing with a chest injury from last Sunday’s game, Pat Freiermuth starts off the week in a limited fashion. Being able to practice at always a good sign for Freiermuth, but his progression through the week will be something to monitor.

Two players who were seen on Monday each in a walking boot were Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and guard James Daniels. On Thursday, both players were able to participate in a limited fashion. With Ogunjobi being limited all last week yet still playing in the game on Sunday, this is a promising sign for both players unless there is a setback throughout the week.

It was announced after Sunday’s game that starting right tackle Chuks Okorafor is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Having to progress through the various stages, Okorafor did have an opportunity to move through things on Wednesday as the Steelers did practice put did not have to give an injury report. On Thursday, Okorafor was listed as a limited participant which is a good sign he is moving through the protocol, but whether or not he will be cleared by Monday is up in the air.

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

Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 2
Thursday, September 14
No. 75 G J. Bitonio (Non-Injury Related) – DNP 
No. 2 WR A. Cooper (Non-Injury Related) – DNP
No. 95 DE M. Garrett (Non-Injury Related) – DNP
No. 93 DT S. Harris (Achilles) – DNP
No. 90 DT M. Hurst (Hamstring) – DNP
No. 62 DT S. Ika (Foot) – DNP
No. 1 S J. Thornhill (Calf) – DNP
No. 5 LB A. Walker (Non-Injury Related) – DNP
No. 71 T J. Wills (Foot) – Limited