Diontae Johnson didn't practice Thursday with the Steelers at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, listed on the season's first official injury report as having a foot issue.
David DeCastro, who missed the first and final weeks of training camp with a knee issue, also didn't practice.
Being that the opener isn't until Monday night, against the Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., missing a Thursday practice is the equivalent of missing one on the Wednesday of a regular week. So there won't be much cause to fully expect Johnson to miss the game unless he's out another practice. DeCastro, on the other hand, is seen as highly unlikely to play.
If Johnson can't go, there will be more opportunity for rookie Chase Claypool and James Washington. Claypool has been a standout through his first camp and has drawn praise from Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger and, on this Thursday, Randy Fichtner.
“Chase is unique physically for the position,” Fichtner said after the practice. “To his credit, he did the necessary things he had to do in the offseason. He didn’t get a chance to do it with us. We didn’t get a chance to work with him in the weight room or on the grass. He learned how to be a professional prior to getting here. He came into camp in awesome shape. His body hasn’t failed him, and his mind hasn’t failed him because he’s conditioned. He’s put himself in the talk of being useful for us early in the season, a lot earlier than you'd probably expect."
In DeCastro's absence, Stefen Wisniewski could get the call at right guard. In addition to Zach Banner just having won the battle at right tackle, and Matt Feiler moving from right tackle to left guard, that's a potentially unsettling amount of change.
“I think anytime you have a piece that is changed up front there is always that little bit of angst, if you will, at least from my perspective,” Fichtner said. “I don’t think it is from their perspective. They work together. They have unique communication. Maurkice Pouncey ties that whole thing together. I think if you would have said Pounce wasn’t sitting there in the middle, I’d probably say my feelings would be a lot greater for me. But I do know these guys are preparing themselves, and they’ve done a nice job.”
For the Giants, linebacker Markus Golden (illness) didn't participate in practice Thursday. Limited were wide receiver Golden Tate (hamstring), tight end Levine Toilolo (hamstring), cornerback Adrian Colbert (illness) and linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring).