Joe Haden Misses Practice With Foot Issue as Steelers Continue to Battle Health Concerns
By Andy Loughmiller
The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently fighting for a Wild Card spot in the NFL Playoffs. Their road to the postseason has been increasingly difficult due to all of the injuries they have been forced to deal with this year.
Joe Haden is the newest addition to Pittsburgh's injury report with a foot issue. He did not participate in Thursday's practice, and he joins a star-studded list of compromised individuals.
Cornerback Joe Haden missed practice Thursday with a foot injury. TE Nick Vannett missed with illness. JuJu Smith-Schuster & Vance McDonald each were full participants.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) December 19, 2019
On the bright side, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Vance McDonald were listed as full participants and could potentially return to the field on Sunday.
Haden was questionable entering Week 15, but ultimately ended up starting the game.
The veteran cornerback is a key member of the Steelers' secondary. He has recorded four interceptions during his 2019 campaign and is still playing at high level in his 10th season in the league.
Joe Haden had two interceptions in Sunday's win, and the week before that, he clinched a 20-13 win against the Browns with a late interception.
— Post-Gazette Sports (@PGSportsNow) December 11, 2019
“He’s Joe Haden," Minkah Fitzpatrick said, "he’s going to be a future Hall of Famer.” ? ⬇️https://t.co/uPtn1eIft2
Pittsburgh has been battling the injury bug all season, and things don't seem to be improving on that front with another one of their starters on the injury report.
This could just be the Steelers' way of literally getting Haden off his feet and making sure that he gets some rest ahead of Sundays matchup vs. the Jets, as his status for the game is still unknown.
The Steelers' last two games of the season will determine whether or not they get back to the postseason after failing to reach the playoffs last year. Not having Haden on the field would be yet another huge blow to this team, but it's nothing they haven't already overcome during this whirlwind of a season.