The Steelers had their final practice of the week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side in preparation for their Sunday night showdown with the 9-3 Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.
Cornerback Joe Haden (concussion) and inside linebacker Robert Spillane (knee) have been ruled out for Sunday night's game. Both Haden and Spillane suffered their injuries in Monday's game against the Washington Football Team and did not practice all week. Haden is in the concussion protocol.
Cornerback Steven Nelson was a full participant in practice for the third straight day after being out for the game against Washington. Nelson suffered a knee injury in the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 2.
The team is decimated at the inside linebacker position with Spillane out and Vince Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and Devin Bush out for the season due to an ACL injury he suffered in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers will rely on Avery Williamson, who was acquired on Nov. 1 through a trade with the New York Jets, and Marcus Allen to carry the load at inside linebacker.
Wide receiver Chase Claypool did not practice on Thursday because of an illness but was a full participant on Friday. Kicker Chris Boswell did not play against Washington due to a hip injury but practiced for the second consecutive day along with defensive lineman Chris Wormely, who missed practice on Wednesday because of an illness. Both are not on the injury status report for Sunday's game.
Earlier today center Maurkice Pouncey was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Pouncey was out for the game against Baltimore and Washington.
For Buffalo, only safety Jaquon Jefferson (ankle) is ruled out for Sunday. The Bills are a rather healthy team right now compared to the Steelers, who are dealing with some key injuries and Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Last week, the Bills did not have a single player on their injury report.
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