This season has been one unlike any other for Isiashh Loudermilk in his football career.
A high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 2 has had him on injured reserve for almost four months.
“Five years here (with the Pittsburgh Steelers), five years (in college) at Wisconsin, never had a year end like that,” Loudermilk said earlier this week from the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “So it’s been different, but you’ve got to adjust and just keep going.”
Loudermilk got some good news Friday, though, when he returned to practice. While the veteran defensive tackle remains on IR, that he’s been cleared to take the field shows he’s almost back to game-readiness.
“I’m close. I’m excited,” Loudermilk said.
A fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2021, Loudermilk was expected to be a significant part of the defensive line rotation this season. He even started the first two games because rookie Derrick Harmon was out with a knee injury.
The Steelers also lost veterans Dean Lowry and Daniel Ekuale to season-ending injuries, and Harmon in total missed four games. That has tested their depth on the d-line. It’s reasonable to think that if Loudermilk had not suffered a long-term injury for the first time in his career this autumn that he would have had a significant role for the Steelers defense.
“It’s part of the game,” Loudermilk said of injury. “As soon as (the injury) happened, there’s nothing I can do about it besides just keep working. And that’s what I did. So hopefully that work pays off and I’ll be able to make some sort of push with the team.”
The Steelers are preparing for Monday night’s playoff opener at home against the Houston Texans.
Returning to practice opens up a 21-day window during which the Steelers can activate Loudermilk to the 53-man roster. That means it could be for any possible game as far as the Steelers advance.