Teresa Varley
UPDATE: The Steelers have downgraded linebacker Cole Holcomb and defensive back Chuck Clark to out for Sunday's game. Both have been ruled out due to illness.
In addition, linebacker Malik Harrison was activated from the Reserve/Injured List and is no longer questionable. He is expected to play on Sunday.
Friday report: The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, and have already ruled out several players.
The Steelers have ruled out receiver Scotty Miller and safety Jabrill Peppers for Sunday's game.
There is good news too, though.
Center Zach Frazier said he is feeling better after dealing with a calf injury that has impacted his practice time the last two weeks and has no injury designation this week. In addition, guard Isaac Seumalo returned to practice on Friday and also doesn't have an injury designation.
"I feel a lot better than last week," said Frazier. "I'm still healing up, but definitely a lot better than I felt last week."
It's no secret the team will be without one of their key contributors in the secondary.
Safety DeShon Elliott was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Friday after suffering a hyperextended knee against the Green Bay Packers, an injury that shook some of his teammates as they watched him on the field.
"DeShon is a one-of-a-kind player," said linebacker Patrick Queen. "We know what he brings to this defense. But at the same time, I think the guys that we've got are good players. They can step in and do the job.
"It definitely hurt. I got emotional about it.
"I think at the end of the day, we get paid to play the sport. We're good at the sport. We're competitive. I think it shouldn't be a fall-off. I think we should come in and dominate, and that starts with me. I've got to be better. That's what it is."
Elliott is a leader in the secondary, someone who rallies the troops on both sides of the ball as well.
"I love DeShon," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "From the first time I was out here in the spring in mini-camp, and he's special. Special guy, and that's tough to see."
Replacing Elliott, who Coach Mike Tomlin said is week-to-week, won't be a one-man job.
"He's a significant component of what we do, particularly relative to some of the things that Indy does well," said Tomlin. "He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense for example. He covers tight ends in passing circumstances, so certainly we have some adapting to do in terms of how we divide the labor up this week.
"But that's always the case when you lose someone, particularly someone significant. It's not a one-person job. It's a multiple-person job. That's the spirit in which we're planning. There will be several people given an opportunity to meet the demands of what he does for us."
A player who could be asked to meet those demands is safety Kyle Dugger, who was acquired this week via a trade with the New England Patriots.
"We'll try to do the best we can to get him ready to be available for us in some capacity," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
Dugger is in his sixth season in the NFL, and has appeared in 81 games, starting 69. He has 412 total tackles, 278 of them solo stops, 24 passes defensed, nine interceptions, with two of them returned for a touchdown, three and a half sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown.
"I was excited to get the opportunity to play ball with this team," said Dugger of being traded to the Steelers.
He said the message to him is he is here to help.
"Help the defense out," said Dugger of what he was told his job is from the coaches. "That was the main topic. Whatever I can do, that's what I'm going to do."
Dugger's immediate plans are to get comfortable with the game plan for this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts and the playbook in general as he settles in.
"Studying," said Dugger of what he needs to do to catch up. "Getting with the guys, ask them questions. Just work at it. That's it."
Dugger is jumping on what Coach Mike Tomlin likes to refer to as a 'moving train,' and fells like he will be all aboard by Sunday.
"If I'm asked to play, I'm going to be ready," said Dugger.
Defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale was also placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Friday.
The full injury and status report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 9
Game Status
No. 13 WR Scotty Miller (Finger) - Out
* No. 18 QB Will Howard (Right Hand) - Questionable
No. 21 S Chuck Clark (Illness) - OUT - Updated on Sat
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring/Knee) - Out
No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers (Quadricep) - Out
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - OUT - Updated on Sat
Friday, October 31
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 13 WR Scotty Miller (Finger) - DNP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Neck) - Full
* No. 18 QB Will Howard (Right Hand) - Full
No. 21 S Chuck Clark (Illness) - DNP
No. 23 S Darius Slay (NIR - Personal Matter) - Full
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
No. 29 S Kyle Dugger (Knee) - Full
No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers (Quadricep) - DNP
* No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Full
No. 54 C Zach Frazier (Calf) - Limited
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Quadricep) - Full
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Thursday, October 30
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 13 WR Scotty Miller (Finger) - DNP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Neck) - Full
* No. 18 QB Will Howard (Right Hand) - Full
No. 23 S Darius Slay (NIR - Personal Matter) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Knee) - DNP
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring/Knee) - Limited
No. 29 S Kyle Dugger (Knee) - Full
No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers (Quadricep) - Limited
* No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Full
No. 54 C Zach Frazier (Calf) - Limited
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Quadricep) - Full
No. 96 DT Daniel Ekuale (Knee) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Wednesday, October 29
No. 13 WR Scotty Miller (Finger) - DNP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Neck) - Limited
* No. 18 QB Will Howard (Right Hand) - Full
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Knee) - DNP
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
* No. 50 LB Malik Harrison (Knee) - Full
No. 54 C Zach Frazier (Calf) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Quadricep) - DNP
No. 96 DT Daniel Ekuale (Knee) - DNP
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Indianapolis Colts Participation/Injury Report, Week 9
Game Status
No. 6 WR Anthony Gould (Knee) - Out
No. 40 CB Jaylon Jones (Hamstring) - Questionable
No. 52 DE Samson Ebukam (Knee) - Out
No. 94 DE Tyquan Lewis (Groin) - Questionable
No. 90 DT Grover Stewart (Foot) - Questionable
Friday, October 31
No. 1 WR Josh Downs (Hip) - Full
No. 6 WR Anthony Gould (Knee) - DNP
No. 20 S Nick Cross (Shoulder) - Full
No. 23 CB Kenny Moore (Achilles) - Limited
No. 40 CB Jaylon Jones (Hamstring) - Full
No. 44 LB Zaire Franklin (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 52 DE Samson Ebukam (Knee) - DNP
No. 71 G Matt Goncalves (NIR - Personal) - Full
No. 94 DE Tyquan Lewis (Groin) - Full
No. 72 T Braden Smith (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 90 DT Grover Stewart (Foot) - Full
No. 99 DT DeForest Buckner (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
Thursday, October 30
No. 1 WR Josh Downs (Hip) - Full
No. 6 WR Anthony Gould (Knee) - DNP
No. 20 S Nick Cross (Shoulder) - Full
No. 23 CB Kenny Moore (Achilles) - Full
No. 40 CB Jaylon Jones (Hamstring) - Full
No. 52 DE Samson Ebukam (Knee) - DNP
No. 71 G Matt Goncalves (NIR - Personal) - Full
No. 94 DE Tyquan Lewis (Groin) - Full
No. 72 T Braden Smith (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 90 DT Grover Stewart (Foot) - DNP
Wednesday, October 29
No. 1 WR Josh Downs (Hip) - DNP
No. 6 WR Anthony Gould (Knee) - DNP
No. 20 S Nick Cross (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Kenny Moore (Achilles) - DNP
No. 40 CB Jaylon Jones (Hamstring) - Full
No. 52 DE Samson Ebukam (Knee) - DNP
No. 71 G Matt Goncalves (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 94 DE Tyquan Lewis (Groin) - DNP
No. 72 T Braden Smith (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 90 DT Grover Stewart (Foot) - DNP
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