Brandon Williams Misses Practice Again
The anchor of Baltimore's defensive front continues to be sidelined.
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams missed Wednesday's practice because of a foot injury that also held him out of last week's game in London. Williams suffered the injury in the Week 2 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
The 340-pounder is a massive absence along the defensive line. He's the team's top run stuffer and he can gobble up multiple blockers to free up other defenders to make tackles.
Williams was on the field Wednesday riding a bike during practice, but did not participate.
Without Williams on the field last week, the Ravens defense gave up 44 points in a lopsided loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Carl Davis filled in for Williams in the starting lineup last week, and the Ravens also had defensive tackle Michael Pierce take on an increased workload. Pierce said after the game that he tried to do too much to offset Williams' absence.
The Ravens would love to get Williams back on the field this week against Pittsburgh's potent offensive attack. Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is one of the best in the game, and the Ravens will need to find ways to clog his running lanes.
Baltimore will also have to replace starting defensive end Brent Urban this week after suffering his season-ending foot injury in London. Second-year defensive end Bronson Kaufusi and rookie Chris Wormley are the most likely candidates to step into his place. They have both been inactive for the first three games of the year.
For the full injury report, click here.
Benjamin Watson, Maxx Williams Both Sidelined
The Ravens were short-handed at tight end this week as Benjamin Watson (calf) and Maxx Williams (ankle) both didn't practice.
Williams didn't play last week because of the injury. Watson played the entire game and scored Baltimore's lone touchdown.
It's unknown how serious the calf injury is for Watson, who is coming back from offseason Achilles surgery. He talked with the media before practice and indicated that he was excited it to play in his first Ravens-Steelers game, so it's possible the Ravens just wanted to give the 36-year-old tight end an extra day of rest.
The only healthy tight end on the 53-man roster is Nick Boyle, and the Ravens also signed tight end Ryan Malleck to the practice squad Wednesday.
The only other player to miss practice was rookie cornerback Jaylen Hill (thigh), who has yet to play this season.
Steelers List 11 Players on Injury Report
Pittsburgh's injury report was slightly more crowded.
The Steelers listed 11 players, including wide receiver Martavis Bryant (illness), safeties Michael Mitchell and Sean Davis (ankle), and guard Ramon Roster (thumb), who all didn't practice. Bell and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger both had the day off.
The limited participants for Pittsburgh were linebacker Bud Dupree (shoulder) and tight end Jesse James (shoulder).
Rookie linebacker T.J. Watt, who missed last week's game with a groin injury, was a full participant in practice. Offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (hamstring) and defensive end Stephon Tuitt (biceps) were also full participants.
