The Steelers wrapped up preparation for Sunday' game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field, and will go into the game with one of their top players already ruled out. JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) has been ruled out for the AFC North matchup that can have playoff implications, while James Conner is listed as doubtful and Artie Burns is questionable. Smith-Schuster hasn't seen the practice field since he suffered the knee injury, and a concussion, in the Nov. 14 game against the Browns in Cleveland. Smith-Schuster was cleared from concussion protocol earlier this week, but the knee continues to be the issue.
With Smith-Schuster out it will once again be a group effort at receiver with Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Tevin Jones, Johnny Holton and recently signed Deon Cain.
"We have some new guys in here. And for me, it is kind of finding out who they are as a person and just getting that relationship off the field," said Devlin Hodges, who was named the team's starting quarterback earlier this week. "Just kind of build confidence. It is hard to get a lot of reps with guys, especially new guys, who haven't been here. When you are with guys here that have been here all spring and all camp—luckily for me, I had an opportunity to get a bunch of reps in with those guys with Ben (Roethlisberger) taking that third day off (during camp). There are specific things we can work on, but a lot of it is getting to know them and gaining that trust for them with in that week."
Burns was injured against the Browns as well and while he was a full participant in practice on Friday he is questionable.
With Conner battling the shoulder injury the next man up mentality has been in full effect at running back, with the combination of Jaylen Samuels, Trey Edmunds, Benny Snell and Kerrith Whyte all taking their turns stepping up.
"I feel like we are losing guys. Situations are what they are," said Snell. "But we are making the best of it, making the most of it."
The full injury report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Game Status
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Concussion/Knee) - Out
CB Artie Burns (Knee) - Questionable
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Doubtful
Friday, November 29
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Concussion/Knee) - DNP
CB Artie Burns (Knee) - Full
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Limited
OT Alejandro Villanueva (Shoulder) - Full
G Ramon Foster (NIR) - Full
* Smith-Schuster has cleared the concussion protocol
Thursday, November 28
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Concussion/Knee) - DNP
CB Artie Burns (Knee) - Limited
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Limited
OT Alejandro Villanueva (Shoulder) - Full
G Ramon Foster (NIR) - DNP
* Smith-Schuster has cleared the concussion protocol
Wednesday, November 27
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Concussion/Knee) - DNP
CB Artie Burns (Knee) - DNP
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - DNP
OT Alejandro Villanueva (Shoulder) - Limited
Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Game Status
WR KhaDarel Hogde (Achilles) - Questionable
DB Eric Murray (Knee) - Out
OT Greg Robinson (Concussion) - Questionable
DE Olivier Vernon (Knee) - Questionable
Friday, November 29
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Groin) - Limited
TE Demetrius Harris (Neck) - Full
RB Dontrell Hilliard (Knee) - Full
WR KhaDarel Hogde (Achilles) - Full
WR Jarvis Landry (Hip) - Full
DB Eric Murray (Knee) - DNP
OT Greg Robinson (Concussion) - DNP
LB Joe Schobert (Groin) - Limited
DE Olivier Vernon (Knee) - Limited
TE Pharaoh Brown (NIR) - DNP
Thursday, November 28
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Groin) - Limited
TE Demetrius Harris (Neck) - Full
RB Dontrell Hilliard (Knee) - Full
WR KhaDarel Hogde (Achilles) - Full
WR Jarvis Landry (Hip) - Full
DB Eric Murray (Knee) - DNP
OT Greg Robinson (Concussion) - DNP
LB Joe Schobert (Groin) - Limited
DE Olivier Vernon (Knee) - Limited
Wednesday, November 27
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Groin) - Limited
TE Demetrius Harris (Neck) - Full
RB Dontrell Hilliard (Knee) - Full
WR Jarvis Landry (Hip) - Full
DB Eric Murray (Knee) - DNP
OT Greg Robinson (Concussion) - DNP
LB Joe Schobert (Groin) - Limited
DE Olivier Vernon (Knee) - Limited
