Steelers' Brandin Echols: Good to go against Baltimore
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Echols (groin) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Echols was unable to play against the Browns in Week 17 due to a groin injury, but the fifth-year pro has been cleared to play in Sunday's regular-season finale after logging a full practice Friday. Echols has started in three of 15 regular-season games while also contributing on special teams and has accumulated 48 tackles (34 solo), including 1.0 sacks, six pass defenses (two interceptions), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2025.
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Steelers' James Pierre: Will play Week 18
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Pierre (calf) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pierre has been officially cleared to return from a three-game absence due to a calf injury, and he'll likely start at outside corner opposite Joey Porter on Sunday while Asante Samuel reverts to a depth role in the secondary. Across the 13 regular-season games prior to his calf injury, Pierre logged 28 tackles (12 solo), 11 pass defenses (one interception) and a scoop-and-score.
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Steelers' T.J. Watt: Cleared to play against Baltimore
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Watt (lung) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday night's AFC North clash against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
The veteran pass rusher was able to log a full practice Friday and will return from a three-game absence due to a partially collapsed lung that required a procedure to repair. Watt's return is crucial for a Steelers defense that will have its hands full containing the lethal duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, as the two teams battle for the AFC North division title and the No. 4 seed that comes with it. Watt played at least 80 percent of defensive snaps in 11 of 13 regular-season games, but he could have his snap count limited given the nature of the injury he overcame to play Sunday, which would result in Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer being used more heavily in the rotation with Watt and Alex Highsmith.
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Steelers' James Pierre: Doesn't practice Thursday
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Pierre (calf) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pierre was able to log a limited practice Wednesday but sat out of Thursday's session while managing a lingering calf injury that has caused him to miss the Steelers' last three games. His participation in Friday's practice will shed light on his chances of playing in Sunday's pivotal AFC North tilt against the Ravens. Asante Samuel would continue to start at outside cornerback opposite Joey Porter if Pierre is unable to play Week 18.
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Steelers' James Pierre: Practices in limited fashion Wed.
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Pierre (calf) logged a limited practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Pierre has missed Pittsburgh's past three games due to a calf issue. There could be some urgency to get him back, as the Steelers' bid for a playoff spot is on the line Sunday versus Baltimore. Asante Samuel Jr. has been starting at cornerback while Pierre has been out and would likely do so again if the latter remains sidelined Week 18.
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Steelers' Brandin Echols: Limited to begin Week 18 prep
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Echols (groin) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Echols hurt his groin Week 16 against Detroit and missed this past Sunday's loss to Cleveland because of the issue. With a limited practice under his belt to begin this week, the veteran cornerback appears to have a chance of returning to action for Sunday's matchup versus Baltimore, which will determine the winner of the AFC North. With that said, Echols' playing time had been slipping even before the injury, and he hasn't reached a 50 percent defensive snap share since Week 12.
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Steelers' Payton Wilson: Posts five stops vs. Cleveland
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Wilson logged five tackles (three solo) during the Steelers' 13-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday.
Wilson played just 23 of 52 defensive snaps (44.2 percent) during Sunday's loss, but he still managed to finish tied for the second-most tackles on the Steelers behind Kyle Dugger (eight). Wilson is up to 123 combined tackles through 16 regular-season games, which leads the Steelers and is tied with Zack Baun for 17th most in the NFL.
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Steelers' Kyle Dugger: Picks off Sanders in Week 17 loss
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Dugger recorded eight tackles (five solo) and one interception during the Steelers' 13-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday.
Dugger's eight tackles Sunday were a season high, and he nabbed his second interception of the season when he jumped in front of a pass from Shedeur Sanders intended for Jerry Jeudy early in the fourth quarter. Since being traded by the Patriots to the Steelers in October, Dugger has logged 40 tackles (22 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and five pass defenses (including one interception and a pick-six) across eight regular-season games with Pittsburgh.
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Steelers' T.J. Watt: Optimistic for Week 18
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Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports that coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about Watt (lung) being available for the Week 18 showdown with the Ravens.
Watt has missed three consecutive weeks with a partially collapsed lung, and having the premier pass rusher available for Sunday's matchup could be huge for the Steelers' defense. The game will determine the AFC's No. 4 seed and the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention. Therefore, if the outside linebacker is unable to return for the game, his season could be over. Watt logged limited practices throughout Week 17, so a full practice at any point this week would be a positive sign pointing towards the 31-year-old's ability to suit up for Week 18.
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Steelers' T.J. Watt: Week 18 status uncertain
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Watt's (lung) status for Sunday's season finale against the Ravens is considered "up in the air," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Watt has missed the Steelers' last three games while recovering from a partially collapsed lung that required surgery. The winner of Sunday's matchup between the Steelers and Ravens will decide the AFC North and determine which team earns the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs, which may be a factor in determining whether Watt plays in at least a limited capacity. Rookie fourth-rounder Jack Sawyer and Nick Herbig have both stepped into more prominent roles on defense over the last three weeks and likely will be used heavily in a rotation against Baltimore, regardless of whether Watt is cleared to play.
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Steelers' Daniel Ekuale: Suspension lifted, still on IR
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The NFL lifted Ekuale's (knee) five-game suspension Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Ekuale was suspended for five games by the NFL for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy. He was placed on injured reserve in late October after tearing his ACL against the Packers in Week 8, and the seventh-year pro is aiming toward being fully healthy for the start of the 2026 campaign.
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Steelers' T.J. Watt: Gearing up for Week 18 return
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Watt (lung) is expected to return for the Steelers' Week 18 matchup against the Ravens, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The All-Pro edge rusher has already been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Browns, marking his third consecutive missed game since his lung partially collapsed. However, it now appears he's expected to return for the Week 18 divisional matchup, which could determine the AFC North title. Through 13 appearances this season, Watt has tallied 53 total tackles, including 7.0 sacks, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles. While he remains sidelined in Week 17, expect Jack Sawyer to play an expanded role in Pittsburgh's linebacker corps.
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Steelers' Jalen Ramsey: Cleared to play Sunday
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The Steelers announced Saturday that Ramsey (illness) has been cleared to suit up for Sunday's road matchup against Cleveland.
Ramsey was initially listed as questionable due to an illness, but the veteran is ready to suit up for Sunday's divisional matchup without issue. He's handled 100 percent of defensive snaps in each of Pittsburgh's last five games.
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Steelers' Nick Herbig: Ready to go Sunday
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Herbig (hamstring) has no injury designation heading into Sunday's contest against the Browns, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Herbig upgraded to full participation in Friday's practice and will play Sunday versus the Browns after missing Week 16 with a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old will be crucial for the front-seven in Week 17 as star T.J. Watt (lung) is out for yet another game. Herbig has 29 tackles (20 solo), including 6.5 sacks, and two pass breakups, including one interception.
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Steelers' Jalen Ramsey: Questionable to play Sunday
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Ramsey (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Ramsey popped up on the injury report with an illness Thursday and is questionable for Week 17 after missing practice again Friday. The 31-year-old has 77 tackles (46 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and seven pass breakups, including one interception, through 15 games this season. Should Ramsey have to sit out versus the Browns, Sebastian Castro could start in his place.
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Steelers' Brandin Echols: Ruled out for Sunday
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Echols (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Echols exited during the first half of last Sunday's win over the Lions and was unable to return to the contest. The slot cornerback's groin injury proved to be too much for him to practice with this week. Jalen Ramsey moved to the slot last Sunday when Echols exited and will likely start there again for this Sunday's divisional tilt, leaving Jabrill Peppers to fill Ramsey's place at free safety.
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Steelers' T.J. Watt: Out again Week 17
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Watt (lung) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Watt managed to log a week of limited practices for the first time since his lung partially collapsed, but he ultimately will not be able to play in Sunday's divisional tilt. In the outside linebacker's absence, Jack Sawyer should continue to start for the Steelers' defense.
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Steelers' Jalen Ramsey: No practice Thursday
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Ramsey (illness) did not practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Ramsey wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, but he now appears to have come down with an illness. Unless the veteran cornerback is able to retake the practice field in at least a limited capacity Friday, he'll be at risk of being assigned an injury designation for Sunday's road matchup against the Browns.
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Steelers' Nick Herbig: Limited Wednesday
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Herbig (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Herbig was able to start his week of practice with a limited session, a strong sign for the linebacker's playing chances for Sunday's game against the Browns. Every front-seven player will be key for a Steelers defense that may be without T.J. Watt (lung) yet again. Herbig will have two more chances to upgrade his practice participation in the hopes of dodging an injury designation ahead of Sunday's divisional matchup.
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Steelers' T.J. Watt: Officially limited to open Week 17
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Watt (chest) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Watt missed the Steelers' last two games while recovering from a procedure to repair a partially collapsed lung. The veteran pass rusher was able to log a limited practice to open the week, and he would likely avoid an injury designation for Sunday's AFC North tilt against the Browns if he were to fully practice by Friday. His return would likely result in rookie Jack Sawyer reverting to a rotational role behind Watt and Alex Highsmith.
