The Steelers will practice today in Pittsburgh before departing tonight for Paris, France, where they will play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
At practice yesterday, Alex Highsmith was limited with a groin injury. Four players sat out…receiver Ben Skowronek remains sidelined by a calf injury, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day has a triceps injury, and cornerbacks Brandin Echols and Jalen Ramsey did not practice, Echols with a hamstring and Ramsey with his broken wrist, although he’s been playing with it for the last three games and will play on Sunday. In addition to Highsmith, running back Rico Dowdle was limited by a knee injury, a week after returning from his dislocated toe injury.
Safety DeShon Elliott was a full practice participant and is expected to be activated from injured reserve and play for the first time this season. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins was released yesterday after playing in all six games this season, but being limited to special teams at Tampa Bay last week.
The Steelers and the NFL are paying close attention to the safety and security of the teams in Paris this week, in view of the political unrest plaguing France.
Coach Mike McCarthy says they are doing their part to focus on the game and let the security personnel do their jobs.
McCarthy says the main travel concern for him is getting his team ready to play on a tight schedule, with no league consideration for the stresses of traveling.
The coach says the game itself is challenging enough, with the offensive game plan of Saints head coach Kellen Moore.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league has done everything it can to be sure everyone is safe.
Goodell expects a good day on Sunday, as long as everybody does the job they’re supposed to do.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his ten-tackle performance against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Four of the tackles were for a loss, including a sack on the first Bucs possession of the game and another sack on a corner blitz on the final play of the game. Ramsey’s award adds to the honors for Steelers this season. Jaylen Warren was the Offensive Player of the Week last week and TJ Watt was the Defensive Player of the Week in Week One.
