The Steelers thought they were going to be getting healthy coming out of their bye week. But a funny thing happened on the way to their next game after having two weeks off.
Right tackle Marcus Gilbert mysteriously was injured during the team's bye week and wasn't at the team facility from Wednesday through Friday, missing practice on each of those days.
Friday, he was declared out for the team's game Sunday at Heinz Field against the Browns.
It wasn't all grim news for the Steelers (3-2-1), however, as safety Morgan Burnett, linebacker L.J. Fort and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey all made it through a full week of practice and are not listed on the team's injury report heading into the game against Cleveland (2-4-1). All three had been out extended periods of time.
With Gilbert out, Matt Feiler will make his second start of the season for the team at right tackle. Feiler, a former undrafted rookie from Bloomsburg University, also started the team's 30-27 win at Tampa Bay earlier this season when both Gilbert and All-Pro guard David DeCastro sat out that game with injuries.
This will be the third career start for Feiler, who was originally signed and released by Houston. He also started last year's regular season finale against the Browns, though he played guard in that game.
“The earlier experience just helps you get more time learning technique things and knowing what you did wrong and gives you more time to perfect those techniques areas that you have,” said Feiler.
This will mark the 17th game missed by Gilbert due to injury or suspension since the start of the 2014 season. He appeared in all 16 games in both 2013 and 2015.
Ironically, Cleveland signed the player who replaced Gilbert in previous seasons, tackle Chris Hubbard, to a five-year, $36.5-million free agent contract in the offseason to be its starting right tackle.
Despite missing the entire right side of their offensive line in the game against Tampa Bay, the Steelers posted 413 yards. However, just 78 of that came on the ground.
Getting Burnett and Fort back could be a boost to the team's defense, particularly against the pass.
Burnett was added in the offseason to help replace free safety Mike Mitchell and to play linebacker in the dime package. But he's been active for just the first two games of the season while dealing with a groin injury, something that frustrated not only the coaching staff and fan base, but Burnett, as well.
“As a competitor you want to be out there,” Burnett said. “You don’t want to miss anything. I understand that comes with the game. This is a physical game. You demand a lot from your body. Being upset wasn’t going to make it heal faster. I just followed protocol and followed what the trainers told me to do to get back as soon as possible.”
Rookie Terrell Edmunds, the team's top draft pick, emerged as the starter at strong safety in place of Burnett and likely will continue to hold down that spot.
But Burnett could definitely see action on passing downs, as could Fort, who has shown the capability to be a solid player when called upon earlier this season with Vince Williams out.
The Browns, meanwhile, will be without three starters -- receiver Rashard Higgins, middle linebacker Joe Schobert and cornerback E.J. Gaines. All three are listed as out for the game.
Starting center JC Tretter and free safety Damarious Randall both returned to practice on a limited basis Friday and are questionable to play against the Steelers.
