The final injury reports ahead of the last matchup of undefeated teams in 2020 is out and it’s good news for the home team.
Titans
Player | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
OLB Jadeveon Clowney (Knee) | DNP | Full | Full | |
TE MyCole Pruitt (Illness) | DNP | Full | Full | |
OT Isaiah Wilson (Illness) | DNP | DNP | Full | |
DL DaQuan Jones (Foot) | Limited | Full | Full | |
OT Dennis Kelly (Knee) | Limited | Full | Full | |
TE Jonnu Smith (Ankle) | Limited | Full | Full | |
WR A.J. Brown (Knee) | — | DNP | Full |
THOUGHTS
As expected, the day off for A.J. Brown on Thursday was merely a rest day for the receiver as they continue to help him work back from the bone bruise in his knee that held him out earlier this season. He was very effective on Sunday and does not carry an injury designation heading into the Steelers game.
Also returning to practice is Isaiah Wilson, who had missed two days with an illness earlier in the week. He is also cleared to play, but I would expect David Quessenberry to get the call up from the practice squad and serve as the Titans top backup for both starting tackles on Sunday, not Wilson. The first round pick still simply hasn’t had enough work and missing practices during the week seems to be irritating head coach Mike Vrabel.
Jonnu Smith, who left Sunday’s win over the Texans with an ankle injury, has turned in two straight full days of work and is set to play against Pittsburgh which means the Titans will have their full complement of offensive weapons available and fully healthy for the first time in quite a while.
The only injury questions left for this game are whether top corner Adoree’ Jackson or backup safety and special teams ace Dane Cruikshank will be activated from injured reserve prior to Sunday. Both turned in full weeks of practice this week so there is at least a chance that they could go. Getting Jackson back would be a huge boost to the Titans struggling defense.
Steelers
Player | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
LB Devin Bush (Knee) | DNP | DNP | IR | OUT |
CB Mike Hilton (Shoulder) | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
C Maurkice Pouncey (Foot) | DNP | Full | Full | |
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Not Injury Related) | DNP | Limited | Full | |
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) | DNP | Full | Full | |
DE Stephon Tuitt (Not Injury Related) | DNP | Full | Full | |
FB Derek Watt (Hamstring) | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
G David DeCastro (Abdomen) | Limited | Full | Full | |
WR Diontae Johnson (Back) | Full | Full | Full |
THOUGHTS
The news isn’t quite as good for the Steelers, who will be without fullback Derek Watt and starting nickel corner Mike Hilton in this game. Hilton is a physical player who does a lot of blitzing for Pittsburgh’s defense (think of Logan Ryan’s role for the past three seasons in Tennessee). His absence, combined with star linebacker Devin Bush going on IR, will be big losses to a tough Steelers unit.
Replacing Hilton will likely be former Vol Cameron Sutton, who has been a staple in Pittsburgh’s defensive back rotation for the last four seasons, though he’s rarely been asked to start. Look for the Titans to try him and inside linebacker Robert Spillane early on in this game.
It’s not injury related, but another roster note for the Steelers. They released veteran punter Dustin Colquitt (another former Vol) today and are expected to use practice squad rookie Corliss Waitman in this game. This will be his first NFL action after a strong collegiate career at South Alabama.
