JuJu Smith-Schuster, Vance McDonald questionable for Steelers-Ravens
The Steelers offense figures to be healthier than the injury report would suggest, but the team is officially leaving the door open for a couple significant pass-catchers to miss Sunday’s matchup with Baltimore.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Vance McDonald are listed as questionable but also as full participants in Friday’s practice, the final one before the Ravens game. To make matters even a little more needlessly blurry, Smith-Schuster himself told reporters he did the “bare minimum” at practice because of his toe injury, which happened Monday night against Cincinnati but didn’t limit his availability in that one.
“Oh, for sure,” fellow wideout James Washington said when asked if he expects Smith-Schuster to play. “He’s a tough guy. I’ve never seen him give in to any kind of pain. I think he’s going to be out there.”
McDonald’s shoulder problem might be a bit more serious, given that it kept him out against the Bengals. But right guard David DeCastro sounds as if he expects to have the full starting offense this weekend, just as he did in practice Friday, including running back James Conner.
“Everyone’s got some dings and bruises. That’s part of the NFL. It’s always nice to get that one, solid final preparation day and get some good reps in,” DeCastro said. “I don’t think guys make it this far to this point in careers in football or the NFL without being pretty tough. Those are three pretty tough dudes. It’s part of the game. Everyone goes through it, every team goes through it, so you’ve got to work your way through it and hopefully get them back soon.”
Conner didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday because of an ankle, but he wasn’t limited Friday and doesn’t even have an injury designation for Sunday. Same goes for defensive lineman Cam Heyward, who was out for the first session of the week, but inside linebacker Vince Williams is considered questionable. Williams hasn’t played since Week 2 because of a strained hamstring but practiced fully each day this week.
The only players on the active roster ruled out for Sunday, as expected, are fullback Roosevelt Nix (knee) and outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo (foot).
Man we gonna be in trouble if Juju at least can't go. Good to have Vince back to help stop the run. Barron is light weight and gets pushed around in the middle