Steelers Injury Updates: Claypool, Okorafor to Return to Practice; Roethlisberger Has Hip Issue

PITTSBURGH — Wide receiver Chase Claypool and tackle Chukwuma Okorafor are expected to return to Steelers practice this week, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with a hip injury, head coach Mike Tomlin announced during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

Claypool missed Sunday’s game against Green Bay with a hamstring injury suffered mid-week last week. Okorafor has been in the NFL concussion protocol since being injured against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

“We anticipate (them) working their way back to us or at least having the opportunity to,” Tomlin said.

Claypool was replaced by James Washington, who was in the primary lineup for the second consecutive week. 

Joe Haeg filled in for Okorafor and will likely do so again if he is unable to return, though starting right tackle Zach Banner has also returned to practice and Tomlin said could return from the injured reserve list this week.

Roethlisberger is dealing with a hip injury, Tomlin said. He did not miss any time in the game and likely will be able to play on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, though he could be limited in practice.

Tomlin did not have much of an update on left guard Kevin Dotson (hip flexor) and cornerback Cam Sutton (groin), who were both injured in Green Bay.

“We’ll let their practice participation be our guide in terms of their availability, and I’m sure we’ll get getting greater clarity as we push through the week in regards to those people,” he said.

Tomlin also did not update the status of defensive end Stephon Tuitt (knee), nose tackle Tyson Alualu (ankle) and running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (knee), who remain on injured reserve.