Steelers Injury Central: Status in Question for Four Starters
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Four Pittsburgh Steelers starters have their status for the team’s Week 2 game against the New England Patriots in question.
Tight end Darnell Washington missed practice for personal reasons for the second straight day on Thursday, while Michael Pittman Jr. saw his status downgraded for limited on Wednesday to out on Thursday.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. appeared to have some type of injury setback with his back situation, while Troy Fautanu took a step forward at practice on Thursday.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY CENTRAL
PLAYERINJURYDATEWEDTHUFRISTATUSPROGNOSISTE Darnell WashingtonPersonalSept. 16DNPDNPWR Michael Pittman Jr.FootSept. 13LPDNPLT Troy FautanuAnkleSept. 13DNPLPActiveOT Jack DriscollUndisclosedAug. 24DNPIR-R (Wk 5)OUT three weeksSS DeShon ElliottHamstringAug. 21DNPIR-R (Wk 5)OUT three weeksDT Logan LeeUndisclosedAug. 3DNPIROUT for seasonWR Cole BurgessKneeAug. 3DNPIROUT for seasonCB Joey Porter Jr.BackJuly 28LPLPActiveCB Donte KentACL surgery2025DNPPUP (Wk 5)OUT three weeksChanges in bold. Click the player name to jump to each individual player’s injury. Updated on Sept. 17.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., foot, Sept. 17
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 13, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers NowMichael Pittman Jr. did not practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday — a foreboding sign for Steelers veteran receiver.
Pittman finished the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons without an obvious injury, but is trending the wrong way toward playing against the New England Patriots.
Germie Bernard would replace Pittman if he’s unable to play in Week 2.
LT Troy Fautanu, ankle, Sept. 13
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu during a game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers nowTroy Fautanu was a limited participant in practice on Thursday, Sept. 17 after missing the team’s first session of the week on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Fautanu had a player roll up the back of his ankle during the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13.
Dylan Cook moved to left tackle and Max Iheanachor played right tackle while Fautanu was out.
CB Joey Porter Jr., back, July 28
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in a game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers NowJoey Porter Jr. left practice on Thursday early after consulting with team trainers on the sidelines during the portion of practice that was open to the media. Porter took one rep in a loose ball drill before exiting practice. He was officially listed as limited.
had his injury listing changed from back to conditioning on Wednesday, reflecting the team’s long-held stance that Porter is no longer injured and his continued absence is simply about his readiness to play. He remained a limited participant in Wednesday’s first practice of Week 2.
Porter was a limited participant in all three of the team’s practices of Week 1 and did not play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said that Porter is still in the ramp-up phase of work after missing a month of practice while on the PUP list, and wouldn’t commit to any timeframe for his return to full participation.
Porter returned to practice in a limited capacity on Tuesday, Sept. 1 — his first practice with the team since minicamp — but said his back is still not 100%.
“It’s feeling pretty good,” Porter said. “It’s getting back to where it’s supposed to be. I’m not saying it’s at 100. But we’re still working on things, we’re still ramping stuff up. We’ve just gotta keep stacking them day by day.”
McCarthy said that Porter will have a significant ramp-up period as he gets back into action.
“I think Joey coming off the PUP, just like the other players, anybody that comes in here for the first time, there’s a ramp-up-type process to it and that’s what we’ll look for with Joey,” McCarthy said. “He’s been working with the medical people, so there’s definitely a process and there’s an understanding of what he was going through there with the injuries. There’s a process that every one of these players has gone through as far as ramping up before you go full speed on the field. So he’ll be in that category.”
Porter was activated from the PUP list on Sunday, Aug. 30, making him eligible to play in Week 1.
McCarthy admitted on Monday, Aug. 24 that Porter’s continued absence from the lineup was more about his contract situation that his purported back injury that has caused him to be on the PUP list.
“We’re at an impasse right here, and you’ve got to respect that,” he said. “Every one of us has a contract.”
McCarthy said on Wednesday, Aug. 19 that he’s not concerned about the amount of time that Porter has missed, when it comes to his status work Week 1.
“I wouldn’t call it concern,” McCarthy said. “I just think it’s being in tune with their progress and they’re both making progress.”
At training camp, Porter was regularly seen running off to the side during practices.
Porter was first placed on the PUP list on July 28. He reportedly suffered an aggravation of a back injury while performing the team’s initial run test. Porter was a late addition to the PUP list, fueling speculation that his absence from practice may not solely be due to his injury, but could also be related to his ongoing contract negotiations.
Asante Samuel Jr. replaced Porter in the team’s starting lineup while he was absent and was listed as a co-starter at outside cornerback on the initial depth chart for Week 1.
SS DeShon Elliott, hamstring, Aug. 21
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 16, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers NowStrong safety DeShon Elliott was placed on the injured reserve list, designated to return, on Aug. 30, and will miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season.
Elliott suffered an aggravation of a his 2025 hamstring injury after making his return to game action in the Steelers’ second preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 21.
OT Jack Driscoll, ankle, Aug. 24
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Jack Driscoll walks off the practice field on Aug. 24, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers NowOffensive lineman Jack Driscoll was placed on the injured reserve list, designated to return, on Aug. 30. He will miss at least the first four games of the season.
Driscoll was not dressed for practice during the portion of the session open to the media on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Driscoll had walked off the practice field with a member of the training staff during the portion of practice that was open to the media on Monday, Aug. 24, and returned with his ankle taped.
DT Logan Lee, undisclosed, Aug. 3
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Logan Lee at training camp on Aug. 3, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers NowSteelers defensive tackle Logan Lee was placed on the injured reserve list on Thursday, Aug. 13, which will end his 2026 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.
Lee had missed seven straight practices before being placed on IR. The nature of Lee’s injury has not been disclosed.
WR Cole Burgess, knee, Aug. 3
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cole Burgess at training camp on July 30, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers NowCole Burgess reverted to the Steelers’ injured reserve list on Wednesday, Aug. 5. He will be out for the remainder of the season, unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.
Burgess suffered a significant knee injury during training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, and was carted off the field at St. Vincent College. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, he was waived with an injury designation.
CB Donte Kent, ACL surgery, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Kent at rookie minicamp on May 9, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers NowDonte Kent will begin the season on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games. Kent was running off to the side on his own during the team’s first training camp practice on Wednesday, July. 29. He was first placed on the PUP list on Tuesday, July 28.
Kent missed his entire rookie season with the Steelers in 2025 with a pair of injuries. He suffered a calf/ankle injury in training camp, and then as he opened his practice window in an attempt to return, Kent suffered an ACL injury that caused him to miss the rest of the season. Kent was a limited participation in spring practice.
PREVIOUS INJURIES
WR Ben Skowronek, concussion protocol, Aug. 27-Sept. 12
Ben Skowronek returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Skowronek was cleared from the concussion protocol and was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Skowronek is expected to play in Week 1.
Skowronek left the team’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter, after making a tackle on a kickoff. He was immediately taken to the Pittsburgh locker room and did not return to the game.
QB Will Howard, concussion protocol, Aug. 27-Sept. 12
Will Howard returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Howard was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Howard was cleared from the concussion protocol, and was a participant in the team’s padded practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Howard reported concussion symptoms after playing in the first half of the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.
DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, oblique, Aug. 7-Sept. 12
Sebastian Joseph-Day returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Joseph-Day was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Joseph-Day first participated in the team’s unpadded practice on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
He was not dressed for practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25, while dealing with an oblique injury that also held him out of the team’s first two preseason games. He did not play in the preseason finale on Aug. 27. There is no specific timetable for his return.
Yahya Black stepped up as the No. 4 defensive lineman in his absence.
FB Riley Nowakowski, ankle, Aug. 27-Sept. 12
Fullback Riley Nowakowski returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Nowakowski was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Nowakowski suffered an ankle injury during the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.
FS Jaquan Brisker, undisclosed, Aug. 7-Sept. 12
Safety Jaquan Brisker returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Brisker was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Brisker did not participate in any of the team’s three preseason games.
He suffered some type of injury late in practice on Friday, Aug. 7, and was not dressed when the Steelers traveled to Latrobe Memorial Stadium for their night practice on Saturday, Aug. 9. Brisker dressed and took part only in individual periods on Monday, Aug. 10.
Robert Spears-Jennings moved into the starting lineup with Brisker out.
ILB Payton Wilson, undisclosed, Aug. 24-Sept. 12
Linebacker Payton Wilson returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Wilson was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Wilson was not dressed for the portion of practice open to the media on Tuesday, Aug. 25 with an undisclosed injury, and did not participate in the team’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.
Wilson was not wearing pads and was a limited participant in practice on Monday, Aug. 24. Wilson played in the team’s second preseason game against the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 21, and played in 18 snaps without apparent issue.
Cole Holcomb replaced Wilson in the starting lineup while he was out.
DB Jalen Ramsey, knee, minicamp-Sept. 12
Jalen Ramsey returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Ramsey was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Ramsey once again practiced on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after being activated from the physically unable to perform list, but did not participate in the team’s final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.
Ramsey was placed on the PUP list with a knee injury on the first day of training camp. Ramsey had been running off to the side running training camp practices. Ramsey suffered a minor knee injury toward the end of the team’s minicamp. The injury did not require surgery.
Brandin Echols replaced Ramsey in the team’s starting lineup.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., right leg, Aug. 8-Sept. 12
Michael Pittman Jr. returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Pittman was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Pittman was dressed for practice and was a limited participant on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Pittman had not been active since he apparently injured his right leg during a 7-on-7 period in the team’s practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 8.
Germie Bernard replaced Pittman in the starting lineup.
WR DK Metcalf, undisclosed, Aug. 8-Sept. 12
DK Metcalf returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
He was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday. Metcalf returned to practice in a limited capacity in Monday. Aug. 24, but did not participate in the team’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.
Metcalf suffered an undisclosed injury during the team’s Saturday night practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 8.
Max Iheanachor, apparent neck/shoulder, Aug. 6-27
Max Iheanachor returned to action in the Steelers preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27. He had practiced for the second straight day on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after missing two and a half weeks with an apparent neck/shoulder injury.
Iheanachor left the Steelers’ practice after the first full-speed team period on Thursday, Aug. 6. He walked to the sideline, where head athletic trainer Gabe Amponsah appeared to be working on his neck and right shoulder area. Iheanachor then had a conversation with Dr. Aaron Mares, one of the team’s physicians, and left the practice field, walking up the hill.
Iheanachor was back dressed for Steelers practice on Monday, Aug. 10, even after McCarthy said that he would not take part in the practice session. Iheanachor did not participate in any team periods, but did do some individual work. He did not return to practice until Aug. 24 after that.
Broderick Jones replaced Iheanachor as the second-team right tackle, with Jack Driscoll bumping up to the second team at left tackle.
Brandin Echols, left ankle, Aug. 6-27
Slot cornerback Brandin Echols returned to action in the Steeles preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27. He was dressed for practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25 as a limited participant.
Echols did not participate in either of the team’s first two preseason games and was also dressed but not in pads during his team’s practice on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Echols came down awkwardly on his left ankle while jumping for a pass alongside Roman Wilson on Thursday, Aug. 6. Echols limped off the practice field and had a large wrap on his left ankle.
On Monday, Aug, 10, Echols had the walking boot off his injured left ankle. He had been seen with the walking boot on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Daylen Everette, undisclosed, Aug. 19-27
Rookie cornerback Daylen Everette returned to play in the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. He practiced in pads for the second straight day on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and told Steelers Now that he was feeling good to go after a minor injury. Everette suffered an undisclosed injury and was not dressed in pads for the team’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and he missed the team’s Week 2 preseason game against the New York jets as a result.
Israel Mukuamu, lower body, Aug. 15-24
Safety Israel Mukuamu was released on Monday, Aug. 24 with an injury settlement.
Mukuamu left practice near the end of the team’s training camp practice on Saturday, Aug. 15, walking up the hill from Chuck Noll Field with team trainers, nursing an undisclosed lower-body injury.
Mukuamu did not participate in the team’s preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 21, and was not seen participating during the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Kaden Wetjen, left ankle, Aug. 15-21
Kaden Wetjen was a full participant in practice for the second straight practice session on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and he returned to game action against the New York Jets on Aug. 21. Wetjen missed practice on Saturday, Aug. 15 with a left ankle ailment, and was working off to the side with trainers during practice periods.
Keeanu Benton, right hand/wrist, Aug. 7-13
Keeanu Benton was in the starting lineup for the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Aug. 13. He had returned to practice in team periods on Monday, Aug. 11, and did not have the large wrap on his right hand/wrist during practice. Benton had been limited in practice since about Friday, Aug. 8, and has been seen with a large wrap on his right wrist. Benton had still been active in individual periods, and also has been running off to the side.
Eli Heidenreich, right hamstring, Aug. 5-13
Eli Heidenreich played 25 snaps in his preseason debut on Thursday, Aug. 13, after shaking off a right hamstring injury. He was back at practice in a full capacity on Tuesday, Aug. 11, after he returned to practice in a limited form on Monday, Aug. 10. Heidenreich missed the previous three sessions with a right hamstring injury.
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