The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming out of their 2023 bye week hoping to have a significant number of players returning from injury. Not only do the Steelers have five players who did not play in Week 5 due to injury who they hope can return, two more players were moved to the designated to return portion on the Reserve/Injured List and could be available as soon as this week.

With the Steelers having a bonus practice on Monday with a padded practice on Wednesday, they are ramping things up in preparation to travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams. In the second injury report this week courtesy of Steelers.com, there is one new name that appears on the list as two players were limited while one missed practice.

Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 7

Thursday, October 19

No. 6 P Pressley Harvin (Hamstring, Right) – Full
No.18 WR Diontae Johnson* (Hamstring) – Full
No. 26 RB Anthony McFarland* (Knee) – Full
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Quad) – Limited
No. 65 OL Dan Moore Jr. (Knee) – Full
No. 78 OL James Daniels (Groin) – Full
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Hamstring) – Limited
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Heel) – DNP

* Indicates designated to return from IR; currently in 21-day practice window

The biggest thing with Thursday’s report is the addition of T.J. Watt who missed practice with a heel injury. Also dealing with a significant finger injury last game but one that was not expected to have Watt miss time, it is concerning to see the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year not practicing. As is typically the case, Friday’s practice will be a huge factor if the injury could keep Watt out of the lineup on Sunday.

It should be noted that neither Diontae Johnson nor Anthony McFarland Jr. would have to appear on this list as they are still not back on the 53-man roster despite returning to practice. But on the report, the Steelers listed both players with the designation they are in their 21-day practice window and were full participants in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

One of the two players who was limited on Wednesday was cornerback Patrick Peterson but it was not injury related. Typically getting the day off on Wednesday, Peterson was listed as limited in practice meaning he did not participate in all aspects. On Thursday Peterson returned as a full participant and was removed from the list

The other player limited for the Steelers on Wednesday was linebacker Nick Herbig who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Herbig did miss a portion of the Steelers’ Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens as he was injured on a special teams play. On Thursday, Herbig was once again limited.

The Steelers had four more players who were listed Wednesday due to coming off injuries but were full participants. Punter Pressley Harvin was a full participant with his hamstring injury which had him miss the last two games. Guard James Daniels who missed the last two games as well was also a full participate coming off of his groin injury. The other two players, Dan Moore Jr. (knee) and Pat Freiermuth (hamstring), were also full participants after missing Week 5. On Thursday three of the four players remained full participants as Freiermuth was listed as limited. Going in the wrong direction is something to note for Freiermuth as he will be another player to watch on Friday.

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

Los Angeles Rams Participation/Injury Report, Week 7

Thursday, October 19

No. 53 LB Ernest Jones (Knee) – Limited
No. 52 DT Larrell Murchison (Knee) – DNP
No. 23 RB Kyren Williams (Ankle) – DNP
No. 18 WR Ben Skowronek (Achilles) – Limited
No. 91 NT Kobie Turner (Shoulder) – Full
No. 70 OL Joe Noteboom (Groin) – Limited
No. 69 OL Kevin Dotson (Ankle) – Full
No. 1 DB Derion Kendrick (NIR – Personal) – DNP