Every NFL team deals with injuries; it’s part of the sport. The Pittsburgh Steelers dealt with their fair share during December, especially at left tackle and in the secondary.
But the Steelers are about as healthy as possible entering their AFC wild card matchup with the Houston Texans. Two days before the game, the Steelers announced every player on the injury report will dress.
The only Steelers player questionable for the contest is defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk. The veteran lineman just returned to practice Friday, though, so his questionable tag could also be considered a positive.
Key Steelers still dealing with lingering injuries — Aaron Rodgers, T.J. Watt, and Jaylen Warren — are all set to play. It’s the same case with important special teams contributors Ben Skowronek and Christian Kuntz.
Finally, tight end Jonnu Smith, who the team added to the injury report Friday because of a glute issue, is also expected to dress.
The Steelers will host the Texans on Monday night, January 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 pm ET on ESPN.
Steelers Receive Clean Bill of Health Before Texans Matchup
Health is always a key factor in the NFL playoffs. As every team does, Mike Tomlin’s club has important players still on injured reserve.
But the players on the 53-man active roster are just about completely healthy.
Rodgers, Skowronek, Kuntz, Smith and Watt were the five players on Pittsburgh’s active roster dealing with injuries this past week. All five fully practiced Saturday.
Warren fully practiced as well. The running back missed the team’s first practice session Thursday because of an illness.
Veterans Cameron Heyward and Issac Seumalo were limited or didn’t practice Saturday. However, neither is technically dealing with an injury. The Steelers rested both players before the playoff matchup.
None of those seven players have injury designations for Monday.
Loudermilk was the only player limited in Pittsburgh’s Saturday practice because of an ailment. Loudermilk is still on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.
Before Friday, the veteran defensive lineman hadn’t practiced or played since Week 2. But this past week, the Steelers opened his 21-day practice window, which gives him the opportunity to dress versus the Texans.
Steelers-Texans Series History
The Steelers have a football rivalry with the city of Houston dating back to the early AFC Central days in the 1970s. But that was with the Houston Oilers, who moved to Nashville to become the Tennessee Titans roughly a quarter century ago.
The Texans entered the NFL as an expansion team in 2002. Despite being in the same conference, the Steelers and Texans have met just eight times since then.
Monday will be the first time the two franchises match up in the postseason.
The Steelers own a 5-3 edge in the series. They are 3-1 at home versus the Texans. Houston’s only win at Acrisure Stadium came in the organization’s first season of 2002.
In the only matchup between Tomlin and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston won 30-6 in 2023.
The Steelers and Texans will meet in the final showdown of the NFL’s wild card weekend. If the Steelers advance, they could play any of the remaining playoff teams in the AFC during divisional weekend except the Los Angeles Chargers.
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