Steelers-Colts injury report
Updated: Dec 27, 2020
The Steelers had their last practice of the week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side in preparation for their game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The Steelers are relatively healthy on the injury front with no players ruled out for Sunday's game. Inside linebacker Marcus Allen (stinger) and outside linebacker Ola Adenyi (shoulder) are both listed as questionable for Sunday. Allen did not practice all week and Adenyi was limited today after missing the last two days.
Kicker Chris Boswell was added to the injury report yesterday with a groin injury and did not practice on Friday. Boswell is listed as questionable as well. Running back Anthony McFarland Jr. did not practice on Friday due to an illness and is questionable for Sunday.
Defensive end Stephon Tuitt (back) missed the first two days of practice this week but was a full participant on Friday and is not on the status report. Tight end Eric Ebron (back), James Conner (quadriceps), and Derek Watt (concussion) were full participants on Friday and are also not on the status report.
Inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III was ruled out for Sunday's game, and shortly after he was placed on the reserve/injured list. With Gilbert on the reserve/injured list, the Steelers activated inside linebacker Vince Williams to the 53-man roster, as his two-day COVID-19 roster exemption has expired. Williams was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Dec. 19 and was out against the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
Getting Williams back is huge for the defense, who has missed his presence as a leader and communicator. Williams is also one of the best run defenders on the defense.
"It means we have a leader in the linebacker corps that has been doing it for a while," Minkah Fitzpatrick said. "Avery (Williamson) and Chico (Marcus Allen) did a great job while they were out there. Vince has been running this defense for a long time. It's good to have him back. He is communicating well. Things are just a little more fluid when you have a guy that has been there for a while."
For the Colts, right tackle Branden Smith was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday and won't play on Sunday. Left tackle Anthony Castonzo (knee/ankle) and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (ankle) are listed as questionable.