The Pittsburgh Steelers entered camp without one of their best defenders, former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey suffered a knee injury during the team's mandatory minicamp in June and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start training camp at the end of July. He didn't need surgery, but the injury was significant enough to keep him out of practice for the past month.
On Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy said Ramsey has been activated off the PUP list and can begin practicing with the team again. That wasn't the only good news Steelers fans received Monday. Tomlin also said first-round rookie Max Iheanachor will be returning to practice.
Iheanachor, Pittsburgh's No. 21 overall pick and drafted to be the team's starting right tackle, has been sidelined the past couple of weeks with a neck and shoulder injury. Both players now appear healthy enough to return to practice as the team ramps up for the regular season. More news: Jerry Jones Plans to Make Cowboys Players Pay for $500,000 NFL Fine More news: Raiders HC Klint Kubiak Makes Maxx Crosby Decision After Texans Game The Steelers open the regular season at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 13 — a crucial game in which Ramsey will be relied on to help contain Atlanta's explosive offense, led by Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.
Getting him back before Week 1 is significant, and the Steelers should enter that game with their full secondary intact, including newcomers Jaquan Brisker and Jamel Dean, alongside starting corner Joey Porter Jr. As for Iheanachor, he's probably missed too many practice reps at this point to start at right tackle to open the season. Veteran Dylan Cook will likely take over that role.
But if Iheanachor can stay healthy and continue to improve, he could work his way into the starting job at some point during the season. The next chance for both players to see the field would be Thursday in the Steelers' preseason finale against the Bills in Buffalo. But given that they just returned to practice, it wouldn't be a surprise if neither sees much — if any — game action.
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