AFC Notes: Bengals, Steelers, Titans

Bengals

While Bengals first-round OL Jonah Williams won’t appear in a game this season, he says he’s excited about the opportunity to return to practice and end the season on a positive note. 

“It’s really exciting. It’s what I’ve been working for in the rehab, in the weight room and all that stuff. Excited to have this opportunity,” Williams said, via Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Just being back out there with a jersey on and stuff like that. It’s exciting.”

“Just really excited. Again, it’s small things. But I think a lot of football players understand being able to put on your helmet and put on your jersey and put on the cleats and all that. And even just to go through warm-ups with the team, the individual drills and stuff like that like I’m going to do,” Williams added. “That’s the little things that make you feel like an active football player and a part of the team. So, I’m just really excited to be able to do that.”

• OUT for Week 15: WR A.J. Green (ankle), DT Renell Wren (hip)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 15: CB Darqueze Dennard (illness)

Steelers

A report from earlier in the day mentioned that Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is not expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Bills after aggravating his knee injury during practice on Thursday. 

Smith-Schuster later told reporters that he didn’t suffer a setback and he just needs to not push so hard to return. 

“It wasn’t a setback,” Smith-Schuster said, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “I pushed myself too hard where I gotta slow myself down. I’m so competitive — just to get out there and be great — I gotta take it slow.”

• OUT for Week 15: TE Vance McDonald (concussion), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 15: RB James Conner (shoulder)

Titans

• Titans HC Mike Vrabel said that they’re still waiting for S Kenny Vaccaro to be cleared from the concussion protocol. (Turron Davenport)
• Titans RB Derrick Henry missed practice again on Friday and is listed as questionable for Week 15.
• OUT for Week 15: LB Daren Bates (shoulder), WR Adam Humphries (ankle), CB Adoree’ Jackson (foot)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 15: RB Derrick Henry (hamstring), S Kenny Vaccaro (concussion)