On Wednesday news hit the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base in the form of Mike Tomlin announcing the team’s starting quarterback for their Week 1 game vs. the Atlanta Falcons, but most would agree the news of Russell Wilson getting the nod wasn’t nearly the most impactful news of the day.

Not even of that practice.

No, the news of Isaac Seumalo being evaluated for a pectoral injury, thankfully one which won’t require surgery, was the news which cast a cloud over the fan base as the team finally starts its preparations for the regular season.

But while most were down in the dumps over the Seumalo news, it is worth noting not all injury news has been bad the past week. I’d go as far as saying the majority of news on the injury front has been positive.

Let’s take a look…

Jaylen Warren (hamstring)

The Steelers back-up running back left the Week 2 preseason game vs. the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury, but has returned to practice and started testing the leg ahead of Week 1. When I say he returned to practice, most of the work done has been more of the individual variety, but a good step in the right direction. Warren said he will be good-to-go for Atlanta, and that’s great news to have the full trio of running backs available when the games start to count.

Roman Wilson (ankle)

Wilson left the first padded practice with an ankle injury and hasn’t practiced since. With the preseason in the rear view mirror, Wilson has started to return to work. This week he’s done individual drills and started truly testing his ankle as the team ramps up their work for the regular season. There’s no guarantee he’ll even be active in Week 1, but as he gets reacclimated to the game, you will likely see his role continue to expand as the season progresses.

Troy Fautanu (knee)

The Steelers’ top draft pick left the Week 1 preseason game with a knee injury which has sidelined him for the duration of the preseason; however, he is back and starting to get more repetitions in at right tackle. Wearing a brace on his knee Fautanu had no ill effects of his work this past week, and truly expects to test his knee next week as the team will start putting their plan together for the Falcons. Will Fautanu start in Week 1 as some predicted? Might seem like a pipe dream right now, but anything is possible if he’s deemed healthy.

Payton Wilson (concussion)

Wilson left the Bills preseason game being checked for a concussion. He said himself he was cleared to play in the Week 3 game on the road vs. the Detroit Lions, but Mike Tomlin held him out for precautionary reasons. Wilson should be good-to-go for the Steelers in Week 1, and will likely have a large role for himself on special teams and in sub packages this season.

Joey Porter Jr. (undisclosed)

Many have made guesses about what kept Joey Porter Jr. out of the team’s final preseason game, but nothing official has come from Mike Tomlin. Nonetheless, Porter Jr. was back on the practice field Wednesday and looks as if he is healthy and read to roll for the starting defense in Week 1 on the road.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 of the regular season.