Head coach Mike McCarthy delivered some good new on the injury front for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, as he revealed that four key players on the injured reserve list are expected to return this season.
Over the last few weeks, the Steelers have placed four regulars on the injured reserve list, with wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson and defensive tackles Derrick Harmon and Sebastian Joseph-Day all joining the IR.
"I think all of those guys have a chance, I think they'll all have a chance to come back," McCarthy said before practice on Thursday.
Players placed on the injured reserve list in-season must miss at least four weeks, but teams no longer have to announce ahead of time if they intend for those players to return over the course of the season. Each team gets eight IR returns during the regular season. The Steelers have used two so far, on strong safety DeShon Elliott , who returned from the IR last week, and guard/tackle Jack Driscoll , who is still working his way back.
Pittman and Harmon who are both dealing with foot injuries, are eligible to return from the injured list next week, but have not yet had their 21-day practice windows opened. Players are allowed to return to practice after spending at least two weeks on inured reserve.
Wilson, who has a finger injury, can't return until after the Steelers' Week 10 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, because the injured reserve list counts by games, not weeks.
Joseph-Day, who has a triceps injury, will be out until after Pittsburgh's Week 11 trip to visit the Philadelphia Eagles.
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