Steelers begin prep for Packers game without injured Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster
Ben Roethlisberger said after absorbing a 24-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals that “everything hurts,” and that included the pectoral injury that limited the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 39-year-old quarterback in practice last week.
Roethlisberger missed the first practice of the week Wednesday, which is not uncommon, but this one came with the injury designation and not as a coach’s decision.
Roethlisberger was one of four players, including three starters, who did not practice as the Steelers began on-field preparations for their game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs), right tackle Chuks Okorafor (concussion) and backup defensive lineman Carlos Davis (knee) also did not practice.
Limited participants were outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who are dealing with groin injuries that kept them out of the loss to the Bengals. Diontae Johnson also was limited with a knee injury that caused him to miss the Bengals game. Backup guard Rashaad Coward was limited with an ankle injury.
The rest of the players were listed as full participants, including right tackle Zach Banner, who practiced on the first day he was eligible after spending three weeks on injured reserve.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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