Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed during his weekly Tuesday press conference that expects several key players to return this week from injuries.
Tomlin said cornerback Darius Slay is out of the concussion protocol. He is also optimistic about running back Jaylen Warren (ankle) and linebacker Cole Holcomb (illness) playing on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (pectural) is expected to be limited this week, but remains in consideration to play. Wide receiver/kick returner Ke’Shawn Williams is still in the concussion protocol.
Warren left the team’s 34-12 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half with an ankle injury. He has since revealed the severity of his injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game.
“I could have (returned), but it was part of being smart,” Warren said. “We got a lot of games ahead of us, so they’re looking out for me.”
Warren was playing very well before exiting the game, rushing for 62 yards on 10 carries (6.2 yards per cary) while adding another two catches for five yards. However, the Steelers were comfortable with being cautious with Warren thanks to the play of backup running back Kenneth Gainwell.
Warren seems to be confident that will he will be good to go for Sunday’s game against Chicago.
“My ankle got a little tweaked, but I’m good,” Warren continued. “I’m straight.”
Slay suffered a concussion in the Steelers’ Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and though he returned to the practice field in a limited capacity late last week, he was ruled out against the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
Holcomb missed the last three games due to an illness. Holcomb first missed practice on Thursday, Oct. 30, while dealing with the illness, one that apparently also impacted Steelers safety Chuck Clark. Both Holcomb and Clark were ruled out of the team’s Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Clark returned in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
When asked about having an illness run through the team, Tomlin said this was the worst situation he could remember since the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not divulge the nature of the illness.
Highsmith missed Sunday’s game due to a pec injury. He was not listed in the injury rundown given by head coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday, though Tomlin did say that some players dealing with “bumps and bruises” might miss practice time early in the week.
Highsmith played 72.6% of the team’s defensive snaps against the Chargers on Sunday, and did not outwardly appear to be injured during the game.
Highsmith missed two games with an ankle injury earlier this season, and then also missed some practice time in the week leading up to the Chargers game with another ankle injury, but was able to return to practice in full later in the week.
Highsmith has been on a bit of a hot streak lately, with four sacks and a forced fumble over his last two games.
*Alan...
