Steelers’ DeCastro, Gilbert set to play
It looks like the Steelers will return the starting right side of their offensive line for a home divisional rivalry meeting with the Ravens on Sunday night.
Starting right guard David DeCastro and right tackle Marcus Gilbert both practiced in full this week after missing the team’s first win Monday against the Buccaneers because of injury.
“I feel really good,” DeCastro said. “I’m just looking forward to getting back out there.”
DeCastro broke a bone in his right hand during the season opener against the Browns and missed the previous two games. Gilbert missed Monday’s game against with a hamstring injury. Both were full participants in practice this week.
“That’s behind me now,” Gilbert said. “It’s just a little hiccup, but that’s the case with injuries. I had to do whatever I had to do to get back out on the field.”
DeCastro said Friday the swelling is subsiding and strength is returning in his injured hand. He also said he plans to wear a protective brace on his hand during Sunday’s game for preventive measures.
DeCastro sustained a significant knee injury, causing him to miss most of his rookie season in 2012, but the two-time All-Pro has been durable ever since. He followed it by starting 79 of the next 81 games, including a streak of 71 starts that was the longest among active NFL guards at the time.
“I’ve been pretty lucky the past couple years,” DeCastro said. “I did everything I could to get back to this point and now here I am, so we’ll go from there.”
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette will be a game-day decision for the third straight week.
Fournette, who strained his right hamstring in the season opener, practiced Friday but still was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Fournette says he’s getting better but isn’t ready to commit to returning.
He says he’s “just getting back in my routine, practicing, cutting and stuff like that. It’s tricky with hamstrings. You can feel good one day but then something might happen.” The Giants announced that starting outside linebacker Olivier Vernon and starting cornerback Eli Apple will miss Sunday’s game against the Saints. Vernon, who hasn’t played this season because of a high ankle sprain, and Apple ( groin) both returned to practice this week.
Starting tight end Evan Engram also will not play. He suffered a knee injury last weekend against the Texans.
The Giants also placed third-string running back Jonathan Stewart on injured reserve with a foot injury.
Packers WR Randall Cobb is questionable for Sunday’s home game against the Bills because of a hamstring injury. Cobb is second on the team with 17 catches for 194 yards and a score. ... The Eagles announced t hat f ormer All-Pro DB Wes Hopkins died. He was 57. No cause of death was given. Hopkins started 125 games and played his entire 10-year career with the Eagles.