After they missed last week's 38-7 win over the Browns, it appears both guard David DeCastro and wide receiver Diontae Johnson will be back for the Steelers this week against the Titans.
DeCastro, who was dealing with an abdominal strain, was listed as limited, while Johnson, who had a back contusion, was a full participant at practice on Wednesday as the Steelers (5-0) began preparations for their game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday against the Titans (5-0).
That was not unexpected as Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he expected both to return to practice.
The news was not nearly as good for cornerback Mike Hilton (shoulder) and fullback Derek Watt (hamstring). Both were among those sidelined Wednesday, and though Tomlin said there was a chance both could suit up, it seems highly unlikely the Steelers would risk the possibility of either further injuring themselves this week.
The Steelers will be without inside linebacker Devin Bush, who was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered against the Browns, though the team has yet to place him on injured reserve. It could be saving that spot for offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski, who was designated to return from injured reserve last week but has yet to be placed on the active roster.
The Titans, meanwhile, got some good news Wednesday, as it appears cornerback Adoree Jackson, Tennessee's best cover corner, was designated to return from injured reserve. Jackson, a first-round pick in 2017, has not appeared in a game this season after going on injured reserve in September with a knee injury.
There's still a chance Jackson doesn't play against the Steelers. Wednesday marked the first day of the 21-day window in which the Titans have to decide whether or not to place him on the active roster or put him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Tennessee earlier this week also activated wide receiver Corey Davis from the Reserve/COVID List, while placing starting left tackle Taylor Lewan on injured reserve. Lewan suffered a torn ACL in the Titans' overtime win last Sunday against the Texans.
Davis has 15 receptions for 206 yards and a touchdown in three games this season.
He was one of the final players for the Titans who had tested positive for coronavirus two weeks ago, which caused the NFL to postpone the meeting with the Steelers from Oct. 4 to this weekend.
The injury to Lewan is going to be a tough one for the Titans, who have only right tackle Dennis Kelly and backup Tyler Sambrailo currently on their roster. Isaiah Wilson, a first-round pick out of Georgia, was on the team's Reserve/COVID List since early September and was activated last week, but hasn't practiced much with the team. Wilson was viewed primarily as a right tackle coming out of the draft.
"Ty has played in this league," Titans head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters of Sambrailo, who replaced Lewan after his injury. "He's played multiple positions. He's got versatility. I thought he settled down and played well like he has in the past.
"Isaiah, we haven't practiced much. We've got to get out and evaluate where that is this week, quickly, and see where he can help us."
That could be an issue against the Steelers. Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 24 sacks in its first five games and also has recorded 57 hits.