Steelers Injury Updates: Adams to Practice, Benton Takes ‘Significant Step’

PITTSBURGH — Defensive lineman Montravius Adams will likely practice this week as he attempts to return from an injured right ankle, but Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that it’s too soon to decide on his availability for this Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Adams suffered a right ankle injury early in the Steelers’ Week 9 win over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football, and he was originally listed as questionable to return before being downgraded to out. Tomlin said that he’ll practice this week and the team will monitor his status for Sunday.

“We’ll follow him throughout the week in terms of his availability,” Tomlin said.

Rookie Keeanu Benton replaced Adams after the injury. Tomlin credited Benton’s play throughout his first season.

“Growth every single week, with every outing, and I thought last week was a significant step,” he said. “He plays the run well, he plays the pass well. He’s able to play both and mix downs. He’s growing and fast and it’s important because we need him to.”

The Steelers also got defensive tackle Cam Heyward back from injury, which helped the depth on the defensive line.

All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is in the same boat as Adams, as Tomlin expects Fitzpatrick to try to practice this week after missing the Titans game with a hamstring injury.

Tomlin also confirmed that inside linebacker Cole Holcomb will indeed be out for the rest of the 2023 season, but declined to mention his specific injury and whether or not he will have surgery. Holcomb was placed on the injured reserve list on Monday.

He mentioned other “bumps and bruises” from the game against the Titans, but said the long layoff before the Packers should minimize the impact of other minor injuries.

The only other injured Steelers player remaining is tight end Pat Freiermuth, who must miss at least one more week on the injured reserve.