Week 12 of NFL action opens with the Cleveland Browns hosting their divisional-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Both teams listed a bunch of players on the practice report, but many of them are merely being maintained on a short week.
Who is really hurt? Who is just resting? Here’s a look at the latest injury news and information ahead of Thursday night’s game.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns Inactives
Pittsburgh Steelers Inactives
- QB Kyle Allen (3rd QB)
- WR Scott Miller
- RB Jonathan Ward
- LB Alex Highsmith
- OG Max Scharping
Cleveland Browns Inactives
- QB Bailey Zappe (3rd QB)
- RB D’Onta Foreman
- CB Chigozie Anusiem
- T Jedrick Wills Jr.
- TE Geoff Swaim
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
On a short week, both teams’ practice reports appear lengthy, but the reports’ bark is bigger than their bite.
Steelers fans shouldn’t get too excited about the prospect of DE Myles Garrett sitting this one out after he missed Tuesday’s practice with a hip issue. He said he’s playing on Thursday night.
Tight end David Njoku was limited with a knee issue, but he wasn’t listed on the final injury report. It was the same case for CB Greg Newsome II and his shoulder, WR Elijah Moore and his shoulder, G Joel Bitonio and his pec, as well as CB Denzel Ward’s ribs/ankle issues.
The Steelers rested a bunch of players on Monday — a few of them also got Tuesday off. Not a single player was limited in practice due to an injury this week.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith didn’t practice due to an ankle injury and is out. Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. got in three full practices with his hamstring strain but is still not suiting up for Thursday night.
Projected Starting Lineups for Each Team
Pittsburgh Steelers Projected Starters
The projected starting lineup is based on the Steelers’ current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Russell Wilson
- Running Back: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren
- Wide Receiver: George Pickens, Van Jefferson
- Tight End: Pat Freiermuth
- Left Offensive Tackle: Dan Moore Jr.
- Left Offensive Guard: Isaac Seumalo
- Center: Zach Frazier
- Right Offensive Guard: Mason McCormick
- Right Offensive Tackle: Broderick Jones
- Left Defensive End: Larry Ogunjobi
- Nose Tackle: Keeanu Benton
- Right Defensive End: Cameron Heyward
- Weak Side Linebacker: T.J. Watt
- Left Inside Linebacker: Patrick Queen
- Right Inside Linebacker: Payton Wilson
- Strong Side Linebacker: Nick Herbig
- Left Cornerback: Donte Jackson
- Right Cornerback: Joey Porter Jr.
- Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Strong Safety: DeShon Elliott
- Kicker: Chris Boswell
- Punter: Corliss Waitman
- Long Snapper: Christian Kuntz
Cleveland Browns Projected Starters
The projected starting lineup is based on the Browns’ current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Jameis Winston
- Running Back: Nick Chubb
- Wide Receiver: Cedric Tillman, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore
- Tight End: David Njoku
- Left Offensive Tackle: Germain Ifedi
- Left Offensive Guard: Joel Bitonio
- Center: Ethan Pocic
- Right Offensive Guard: Wyatt Teller
- Right Offensive Tackle: Jack Conklin
- Left Defensive End: Myles Garrett
- Left Defensive Tackle: Dalvin Tomlinson
- Right Defensive Tackle: Shelby Harris
- Right Defensive End: Isaiah McGuire
- Weak Side Linebacker: Winston Reid
- Middle Linebacker: Jordan Hicks
- Strong Side Linebacker: Devin Bush
- Left Cornerback: Denzel Ward
- Right Cornerback: Martin Emerson Jr.
- Free Safety: Juan Thornhill
- Strong Safety: Grant Delpit
- Kicker: Dustin Hopkins
- Punter: Corey Bojorquez
- Long Snapper: Rex Sunahra