Steven Sims ready to put hamstring injury in past as he prepares for Steelers game vs. Eagles

A week after he was hit in the eye by a Kenny Pickett pass, Steven Sims strained his hamstring on an 89-yard kickoff return — the longest in Pittsburgh Steelers history that didn’t result in a touchdown.

That’s the type of luck Sims has endured trying to earn a regular spot on the Steelers’ game day roster.

“I’ve always been an underdog kind of story,” Sims said Thursday. “This is nothing new to me.”

After sitting out the Steelers’ loss at Miami because of his hamstring injury, Sims hopes luck is back on his side for the intrastate game Sunday at the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sims returned to practice as a full participant for the first time in two weeks. He will have one more day to show the coaching staff he is ready to resume his role as kickoff and punt returner and occasional wide receiver.

“If I play, then I’ll be back there returning for sure,” Sims said. “We haven’t said it for sure. We’ll see. I’m sure if I play, I’ll be back there.”

When Gunner Olszewski fumbled twice early in the season on returns, coach Mike Tomlin replaced him with Sims. Then, before his first game, Sims was hit in the eye during warmups in Buffalo, limiting his participation in the loss to the Bills.

His first real chance came the following week against Tampa Bay when Sims broke off an 89-yard kickoff return in the Steelers’ 20-18 victory. But, befitting Sims’ luck, he strained his hamstring on the play.

“I didn’t think much of it at the time so I didn’t tell anyone,” he said. “I put a heat pack on it and kept playing. Monday it felt worse than Sunday, so I got it looked at.”

Sidelined all of last week, Sims watched Olszewski reclaim the return duties against the Dolphins with little fanfare. He averaged 6.3 yards on three punt returns and had a 27-yard kickoff return.

Sims is ready for another chance.

“This is what I do,” he said. “I come in, work hard every day regardless of what they got going on and who is in front of me. I put in the work and wait for my opportunity. When it came, I showed you guys what I can do.”

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon went through a second full practice in a row as he tries to return after a four-game absence because of a hamstring injury. That is in contrast to fellow cornerback Levi Wallace, who didn’t practice for the second day in a row with a shoulder injury.

Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (knee) didn’t practice for the second consecutive day, and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was rested. Other players who were full practice participants included nose tackle Montravius Adams and tight end Pat Freiermuth. Cornerback Josh Jackson (groin) was a limited participant after sitting out practice Wednesday.