The Steelers had their final practice of the week today in preparation for their wild-card round game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night.
On the injury front, the Steelers are a pretty healthy unit right now as kicker Chris Boswell was the only player that wasn't a full participant on Friday. Boswell, who is dealing with a groin injury was limited for the second consecutive day. The Steelers have no players on the injury status list for Sunday. Special teams coordinator Danny Smith said Boswell will be a game-time decision.
The Steelers activated tight end Eric Ebron and outside linebacker Cassius Marsh from the reserve/COVID-19 list yesterday. Both Ebron and Marsh were deemed as close contacts to cornerback Joe Haden, who tested positive for the virus. Both Ebron and Marsh were deemed as close contacts to cornerback Joe Haden, who tested positive for the virus. All three were placed on the list on Jan. 2 and missed the regular-season finale against the Browns. Haden is still on the list and he's not expected to play on Sunday against Cleveland.
Minus Haden, the Steelers are at full strength heading into Sunday night's game against a Browns team that is currently dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Browns were able to conduct their first practice of the week today.
For Cleveland, right tackle Jack Conklin (knee/illness), defensive end Myles Garrett (shoulder), cornerback Terrance Mitchell (not injury related), wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (concussion), defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (neck), cornerback M.J. Stewart Jr. (calf) and right guard Wyatt Teller (ankle) are all listed as questionable for Sunday.
Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski, who will miss Sunday's game due to testing positive for COVID-19, is confident about Garrett and Richardson playing against the Steelers. The Browns will fly to Pittsburgh instead of taking a bus, which they normally do.
Today the Browns placed free safety Jovante Moffatt on the reserve/COVID-19 list and activated center Javon Patterson from the list. Along with Moffatt, cornerback Denzel Ward, linebacker Malcolm Smith, tight end Harrison Bryant, cornerback Kevin Johnson, left guard Joel Bitonio, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, strong safety Ronnie Harrison and practice squad linebacker Montrel Meander are still currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list. As of now, it's unclear whether Ward, Smith, Bryant and Johnson will be removed from the list by Sunday. The Browns were also without offensive line coach Bill Callahan, assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters and wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Chad O’Shea this past Sunday due to COVID-19 protocols. O'Shea returned from COVID-19 quarantine today and will coach on Sunday, but Callahan and Peters won't make the trip to Pittsburgh. In addition, tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard will be out due to COVID-19.
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