The Indianapolis Colts were only missing a few names on Thursday after turning in a lengthy injury report on Wednesday.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts received some encouraging news, as several players who sat out of Wednesday's practice were full participants on Thursday.
In total, just three players missed Thursday's practice, while the other seven players with a designations practiced fully.
Here's how each team's health is shaping up ahead of Sunday afternoon's battle:
COLTS
- Did Not Participate — S Nick Cross (shoulder), WR Josh Downs (hip), DE Samson Ebukam (knee), G Matt Goncalves (personal), WR Anthony Gould (knee), DE Tyquan Lewis (groin), CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles), OT Braden Smith (rest), DT Grover Stewart (foot)
- Full Participant — CB Jaylon Jones (IR-hamstring)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — DE Samson Ebukam (knee), WR Anthony Gould (knee), DT Grover Stewart (foot)
- Full Participant — S Nick Cross (shoulder), WR Josh Downs (hip), G Matt Goncalves (personal), CB Jaylon Jones (IR-hamstring), DE Tyquan Lewis (groin), CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles), OT Braden Smith (rest)
Cross, Downs, Lewis, and Moore all returned to the field despite their injuries. Stewart did not, however, so Friday's practice should be a significant indicator of if he can play on Sunday. Lewis practiced for the first time on Thursday since injuring his groin two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Chargers.
STEELERS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — DT Daniel Ekuale (knee), S DeShon Elliott (knee), C Zach Frazier (calf), TE Pat Freiermuth (quadricep), WR Scott Miller (finger), G Isaac Seumalo (pectoral), TE Jonnu Smith (rest)
- Limited Participant — WR Ben Skowronek (neck)
- Full Participant — LB Malik Harrison (knee), QB Will Howard (right hand), CB Cory Trice (hamstring)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — DT Daniel Ekuale (knee), S DeShon Elliott (knee), LB Cole Holcomb (illness), DT Cameron Heyward (rest), WR DK Metcalf (rest), WR Scott Miller (finger), G Isaac Seumalo (pectoral)
- Limited Participant — C Zach Frazier (calf), S Jabrill Peppers (quadricep), CB Cory Trice (hamstring)
- Full Participant — S Kyle Dugger (knee), TE Pat Freiermuth (quadricep), LB Malik Harrison (knee), QB Will Howard (right hand), WR Ben Skowronek (neck), TE Jonnu Smith (rest)
Pittsburgh was missing some interesting players on Wednesday. Interior offensive line starters Frazier and Seumalo are a lot to be missing at once, as is Elliott on defense. However, Frazier was able to get back as a limited participant on Thursday.
Freiermuth being injured is also a concern, although the Steelers lead the NFL in three-tight-end usage with him, Smith, and Darnell Washington. Freiermuth also went from a DNP to full participant on Thursday, which could be significant.
The Colts and Steelers face off on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The game can be viewed on CBS.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.