Patriots vs. Steelers Wednesday injury report: Mac Jones a full participant for New England

The New England Patriots returned to the practice fields with a full 53-man roster in attendance.

But linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley did not participate due to a toe issue on Wednesday, while quarterback Mac Jones did so in full as Pittsburgh Steelers prep began in Foxborough. The sophomore starter had undergone X-rays following the season opener against the Miami Dolphins due to a back issue.

Here’s the initial injury report leading up to Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Acrisure Stadium.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

Patriots

• LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (toe)

Steelers

• LB T.J. Watt (pectoral)

In addition to Bentley being sidelined, New England recently placed versatile running back Ty Montgomery on injured reserve. The March addition ended the preseason with a knee injury and was listed as questionable for Week 1 before handling three catches, two carries, one kickoff and a touchdown. As for Pittsburgh, the front moves forward without the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year because of torn pectoral muscle that won’t require surgery.

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

Patriots

• RB Pierre Strong Jr. (shoulder)
• CB Shaun Wade (ankle)
• S Adrian Phillips (ribs)
• S Joshuah Bledsoe (groin)

Steelers

• RB Najee Harris (foot)
• C Mason Cole (ankle)
• CB Levi Wallace (ankle)

Strong and Phillips marked the new arrivals among New England’s limited. The fourth-round running back from South Dakota State was inactive last Sunday and is dealing with a shoulder injury. As for the veteran safety, he exited in the first half versus Miami due to a ribs injury and was later downgraded to out after playing 27 defensive snaps. A trio of Steelers also were partial participants on Wednesday. A reigning rookie Pro Bowler would be one of them.

FULL PARTICIPATION

Patriots

• QB Mac Jones (back)

Steelers

• LB Rob Spillane (eye)

“I’ll be ready to practice,” Jones told reporters earlier this week after not holding a postgame press conference on Sunday. New England’s captain under center endured two sacks as well as a roughing-the-passer penalty in the fourth quarter of the AFC East loss. He finished the game having completed 21-of-30 throws for 213 yards with one touchdown, one interception and one fumble.