Steelers linebacker James Harrison said that he wouldn’t be able to play if the Steelers had a game on Friday.
Despite reports that Harrison has already been ruled out for the opener against the Broncos, the Steelers have listed him as questionable on their Friday injury report. The signs continue to point to Harrison’s absence thanks to his balky knee, although it seems we’ll have to wait a little bit longer for an official decision about his status. Chris Carter will start if Harrison doesn’t play.
The news also isn’t good for running back Rashard Mendenhall. After days of increasingly positive reports about Mendenhall’s condition, the Steelers listed him as doubtful for Week One. That means it is highly unlikely that he’ll be on the field and makes it more likely that his work in practice this week was intended to be, at least in part, a bit of slight of hand by the Steelers. Isaac Redman is listed as probable and Baron Batch is questionable, so the Steelers will still have to sort out exactly what they have available at running back this weekend.
Guard Chris Kuper is recovering from a broken forearm has been ruled out by Denver. He’s the only Bronco on the injury report for Sunday night.