Week 7 starts out with the 2-4 New Orleans Saints and the 4-2 Pittsburgh Steelers facing off in the first ever NFL game played in Paris, France. The Saints left for France immediately after their game at the New York Giants last Sunday. Pittsburgh elected a different approach, arriving in Paris on a red-eye flight early Friday morning. Here is the final injury report for both teams.
New Orleans Saints injury report
For the first time this season, the Saints have not ruled out a player on a Friday before a game. Right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd (illness) are both listed as questionable. Shepherd did not participate at all in team activities on Friday. He has missed the last two games with an illness. Ruiz left last week's victory over the Giants late in the first half with a knee injury and did not return. He had missed practice all of this week until returning in limited duties on Friday. Rookie fourth round choice Jeremiah Wright replaced Ruiz in the lineup against the Giants and played well.
Rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the team's first round pick, made the trip to Paris but has not been activated off injured reserve. With the Saints on a bye next week, Tyson could return in Week 9. New Orleans does expect linebacker and defensive captain Kaden Elliss to play against the Steelers. Elliss has missed the last three games with a calf injury but returned to practice this week and was a full participant on Friday. Kicker Daniel Carlson also returned to the team, flying into France later in the week. Carlson and his wife are expecting a baby, explaining his late arrival to France. Running back Alvin Kamara, dealing with a back injury, was limited in practice all week but does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game.
Pittsburgh Steelers injury report
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek (calf) and cornerback Brandin Echols (hamstring) are both listed as out for the Steelers. Running back Rico Dowdle is dealing with a knee injury and saw only limited practice duty all week. He's listed as questionable. Also listed as questionable is safety DeShon Elliott, dealing with a knee injury but a full practice participant most of the week. Taken off the injury report for the Steelers is pass rusher Alex Highsmith, who was limited most of this week with a groin injury but returned to full duties on Friday.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints vs. Steelers: Final Week 7 injury report updates key starters