Pittsburgh Steelers release final injury report for matchup with Titans
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their final injury report ahead of their Sunday game against the Tennessee Titans. Coming off a 36-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Steelers – who are now 6-6-1 on the season and sit in fourth place in the AFC North standings – will face off against a Tennessee team that is 9-4 overall and fresh off a 20-0 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While the Steelers had multiple players battling injuries throughout the week of practice, only five have been ruled out for Sunday’s game – defensive end Isaiah Buggs, linebacker Buddy Johnson, tight end Kevin Rader, quarterback Dwayne Haskins and running back Anthony McFarland.
While Buggs is battling an ankle injury, Johnson is dealing with a foot injury and Rader’s hip is banged up. Rader practiced with the team on Friday but was limited, while Buggs, Johnson and Adams were all out.
Pittsburgh and Tennessee are scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. The Steelers are currently a one-point favorite over the Titans.
Steelers star cornerback returning Sunday against Titans
As the Steelers prepare for a game with huge playoff implications, they’re getting some reinforcements. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, cornerback Joe Haden will make his return to the field Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
“Steelers CB Joe Haden, who has been out about a month with a foot injury, is expected to make his return today, source said,” tweeted Rapoport. “He practiced fully on Friday.”
The former Florida star injured his foot against the Detroit Lions, a game Pittsburgh would go on to tie. Since then, his presence has been missed immensely as the Steelers’ passing defense has not been playing up to par.
Haden is one of the leaders of the talented defense boasted by the Steelers. With so much at stake on Sunday, expect Pittsburgh to come out firing on all cylinders with Haden back in the fold.
Montravius Adams is on NFL’s COVID-19 list
On Wednesday, the Steelers announced that defensive end Montravius Adams had been placed on the COVID-19 list, meaning his status moving forward is uncertain based on his vaccination status and NFL protocols.
Adams signed with Pittsburgh on Nov. 30 off the New Orleans Saints practice squad. He has been a solid addition to the defensive line, recording four tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass deflection and a quarterback pressure in just two games suiting up for the Steelers.