The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their first injury report of the week ahead of Sunday’s Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Per the team, seven players failed to practice Wednesday: WR Scotty Miller (finger), SS DeShon Elliott (knee), C Zach Frazier (calf), OG Isaac Seumalo (pec), TE Jonnu Smith (rest), TE Pat Freiermuth (quad), and NT Daniel Ekuale (knee).

WR Ben Skowronek was limited with a neck injury. Three players still on injured reserve but designated to return practiced fully: QB Will Howard (hand), ILB Malik Harrison (knee), and CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring).

Steelers’ Week 9 Wednesday Injury Report
DNP

WR Scotty Miller (finger)
TE Pat Freiermuth (quad)
TE Jonnu Smith (rest)
C Zach Frazier (calf)
OG Isaac Seumalo (calf)
NT Daniel Ekuale (knee)
SS DeShon Elliott (knee)

Limited

WR Ben Skowronek (neck)

Full

QB Will Howard (hand – remains on injured reserve)
ILB Mailk Harrison (knee – remains on injured reserve)
CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring – remains on injured reserve)

Ekaule reportedly suffered a torn ACL in the first half of the Steelers’ Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers. Though not confirmed by Mike Tomlin, Ekuale took to Instagram to announce he is out for the year. It’s inevitable he’ll land on injured reserve by the weekend. Yahya Black picked up three snaps in his place against the Packers and will presumably serve as the Steelers’ backup nose tackle.

Elliott will reportedly soon land on injured reserve, though the team hasn’t made the move official, which is the reason he appears on today’s report.

Seumalo suffered a pec strain against the Packers and his status for the Colts game seems uncertain. Tomlin said Seumalo could play this weekend and as a veteran, he doesn’t need the reps younger players do to prepare. If Seumalo can’t suit up, Spencer Anderson will make his first start of the season at left guard. That would remove him from the team’s effective six offensive line packages, meaning the Steelers will have to turn to someone else in those packages. Ryan McCollum and Andrus Peat are candidates.

Miller injured his finger in practice a week ago and was inactive for the Packers game. Tomlin noted it was recently “repaired” and gives him a chance to play this week. He has just one catch on the season.

Frazier injured his calf during the Steelers’ Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was limited all last week. However, he suited up and played every snap against the Packers. Freiermuth briefly left with a leg injury, presumably related to his quad listing today, but returned to finish the game. Skowronek was not announced with an injury and seems likely to play this weekend.

Harrison and Howard remain on injured reserve and in the 21-day-to-return window. Harrison’s window closes on Nov. 3. If not activated by then, he will spend the rest of the season on injured reserve. He’s been out since Week 1 with a knee injury. Howard’s window opened one week ago, the rookie returning to practice after breaking a bone in his throwing hand during training camp. Pittsburgh is likely to utilize all 21 days before activating him to the 53-man roster.

Trice had his window opened Wednesday after suffering a training camp hamstring injury and landing on injured reserve during roster cutdowns. Pittsburgh has 21 days to make a decision on him. Practicing in full on his first day back is a positive sign.

The Steelers and Colts kick off Sunday at 1 PM/EST at Acrisure Stadium.