A few injury updates from Thursday for both the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) and their Week 8 opponent, the New Orleans Saints (4-3).
For Pittbusrgh, right tackle Flozell Adams participated in Thursday’s practice after being held out of Wednesday’s session. Same goes for linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who also sat out on Wednesday. Both Adams (ankle) and Woodley (hamstring) sustained their injuries during last week’s win over the Miami Dolphins. From the sound of it, both should be ready to go come Sunday night.
Defensive end Brett Keisel, meanwhile, did not practice for the second straight day. Keisel missed last week with a hamstring injury. Finally, Maurkice Pouncey took the day off while dealing with an undisclosed illness. No word yet on the severity of the bug, but it’s probably safe to assume he’ll be ready to play, even if not at 100%.
The Saints’ injury situation is a mixed bag of good and bad news:
Starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer, who missed last week’s game with a left shoulder injury, and Tracy Porter, who has been sidelined for the last 3 1/2 weeks with a knee injury, returned to practice on a limited basis and coach Sean Payton said he was encouraged by their rehab.
The news wasn’t good, however, for running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas as they were the only two players on the active roster who did not participate in practice.
Bush had hoped to get back on the practice field Wednesday after missing five games with a fractured fibula, but his return has been delayed. Thomas, who’s missed the last four games with a sprained ankle, was put in a walking boot after seeing a third doctor, a foot and ankle specialist, this week.