Kevin Dotson’s run as the Pittsburgh Steelers starting right guard may end after one game, but his return to the bench won’t be because of anything the rookie fourth-rounder did wrong in his starting debut.

Dotson graded as the top guard in Week 2 — rookie or veteran — and didn’t allow a pressure or quarterback hit on 42 snaps in pass protection. But Dotson will head to the sidelines if All-Pro guard David DeCastro is ready to return from a knee injury Sunday against the Houston Texans.

DeCastro missed the first two games after sitting out two of the final three weeks of training camp. Stefen Wisniewski started in his place for the season opener at the New York Giants, but he suffered a pectoral injury late in the game that landed him on injured reserve. Dotson started against the Denver Broncos.

At his weekly press conference Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin said DeCastro has been at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex the past two days receiving medical treatment.

“The schedule is for him to participate this week and let the quality of that participation and the result of that participation be our guide in determining his availability,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers could be missing a few other players from practice Wednesday when they begin on-field preparation for the Texans game. Nose tackle Tyson Alualu (knee), outside linebacker Bud Dupree (shoulder) and wide receiver Diontae Johnson (toe) could be limited early in the week, Tomlin said.

Tomlin also has used the first day of practice to rest quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey. That routine could continue.

“It aids in the preservation of their bodies, but it also provides quality of reps for younger guys who need those reps for game preparation and growth,” Tomlin said.

After the Steelers committed 10 penalties for 89 yards, Tomlin will bring officials to practice this week to monitor practice. The Steelers had four pass interference calls and several personal fouls against the Broncos.

“We need to ratchet up our quality of play in that area, and that’s a reasonable approach in doing so,” Tomlin said about having officials at practice.

Here is some of what Tomlin had to say during his press conference:

Joe Rutter’s tweets from the news conference:

Tweets by tribjoerutter

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