Looking ahead to the session …
• What: Steelers practice
• When: 1-3 p.m.
• Where: Rooney Sports Complex
• Media availabilities: 12:30-12:45 p.m., 3-3:30 p.m.
4:20: From Bradford: In last week's wildcard win over the Bills, Jaguars QB Blake Bortles ran for one more yard (88) than he threw (87). Bortles' ability to run presents an interesting challenge for the Steelers defense said Keith Butler.
"He can give you problems," he said. "You have to be careful what you call. Your rush and your overage has to be coordinated. We talked all week about that with our guys in terms of when we can kind of let loose up front and get after it and when we've got to be good in terms of our rush lanes. We have to be aware of this guy. He does a good job of pulling it down and running."
Butler was non-committal about whether the Jaguars' run-heavy offense will take them out of man-coverage but he did says that Bortles can extend plays with his legs as well as throw. The Jaguars QB threw 35 TD passes in 2015 but has thrown just 41 in the two seasons since.
3:35: Stephon Tuitt didn't practice today, but said after practice he would play on Sunday after suffering what the team described as an elbow injury.
Tuitt was no longer wearing the sling on his right arm that he had when he exited the Rooney Sports Complex Wednesday, so that was a good sign. He said he plans on practicing Friday.
To make matters worse for the Steelers, nose tackle Javon Hargrave did not practice today, as well, because of a back issue. They were joined on the sidelines by Burns.
Antonio Brown and guard B.J. Finney (quad) were listed as full participants.
3:25: Ryan Shazier was at practice again today for the Steelers and even spent some time with his father in the locker room after the session, talking with Vince Williams and others near the injured linebacker's locker.
As has been the case, however, he did not speak with reporters.
12:55: Artie Burns was in the locker room this morning with a wrap on his right leg. But the cornerback, who suffered a knee injury in practice Wednesday, said he intends to play Sunday against the Jaguars.
Burns said his knee was diagnosed as a slight hyperextension but there was no structural damage. He said it was scary more than anything.
He will be limited in practice today.
THE SETUP
Reminder: We can’t report what we see in NFL practices, per league guidelines. So we’ll always just use this space for any allowable updates, as well as a quick repository for news after the practice and media availability.
It's Thursday, so Todd Haley and Keith Butler will talk this afternoon. Chris Bradford and Matt Sunday will join me on the coverage. I'll put any immediate news of note here on this live file, then I’ll have full coverage later.
MATT SUNDAY GALLERY
Steelers practice, UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Jan. 11, 2018 - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS