A couple of key players didn't practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.
Tight end Ladarius Green and linebacker James Harrison were missing. Green remains in concussion protocol, but sat out due to illness. Harrison is dealing with shoulder and triceps injuries.
The flu bug has struck the Steelers locker room, but coach Mike Tomlin says it won't affect their preparation.
"We're not making excuses," Tomlin said, according to ESPN. "There won't be. We'll be there, we'll be ready to play, this is just part of normal things that happen over the course of a season."
Star running back Le'Veon Bell also was missing at practice, but it was due to personal reasons, the team announced. When asked by NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala if Bell's absence would affect whether he would play Sunday against the Patriots, cTomlin said "not at all."
Along with Green, kicker Chris Boswell, center B.J. Finney, wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey, and backup quarterback Zach Mettenberger were all listed on the injury report as full participants with illnesses.
Here are some other injuries we are tracking Thursday:
- Falcons receiver Julio Jones didn't practice because of a lingering toe injury, NFL Network's Tiffany Blackmon reported. Jones was held out of a few regular-season games after sustaining a toe sprain, but returned for the final two games and then the playoffs.
"It's fine, I will be ready to go," Jones said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Wideout Taylor Gabriel (foot) and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (shoulder) were limited. SafetyKeanu Neal (foot) was a full participant.
- Packers receivers Davante Adams (ankle) and Geronimo Allison (leg) are expected to play Sunday -- which is good news for a Green Bay receiving corps that is unlikey to see No. 1 target Jordy Nelson(ribs), who remained in the rehab group.
- Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (knee), wideouts Danny Amendola (ankle), Chris Hogan (thigh) and Malcolm Mitchell (knee), and linebacker Dont'a Hightower were all limited.
