With the Baltimore Ravens looming on the schedule following a short work week, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be getting some of their injured players back on the field in time for the AFC North matchup on Sunday afternoon.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference that no significant injuries were sustained in the Steelers’ 27-3 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Running back James Conner exited with an ankle injury but returned and had 125 scrimmage yards. Cameron Heyward left in the first quarter with a thigh injury, then led the Steelers with 2.5 sacks. Tomlin said both players were having their injuries evaluated Tuesday.
“They may be limited (in practice) early in the week,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin said he is “hopeful” that linebackers Vince Williams (hamstring) and Anthony Chickillo (foot) and tight end Vance McDonald (shoulder) can return against the Ravens. Williams and Chickillo have missed multiple games and McDonald missed his first game of the season. Tomlin is “less” optimistic about fullback Roosevelt Nix’s return on Sunday.
Williams sent out a tweet Tuesday afternoon suggesting he no longer is on the injury report.
“I don’t want to speculate,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see as we go through the week.”
Here is some more of what Tomlin had to say.
Tomlin, on what was said to Diontae Johnson after his fumble:
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
"Don't fumble."
Tomlin said Ravens have some of the best specialists in the world, referring to Justin Tucker
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Regarding the defense, Tomlin says, "they're the Ravens."
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Tomlin said Steelers have to make 1-on-1 tackles against Ravens. Can't have any broken tackles against Jackson, etc.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Tomlin said Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is doing an "awesome job" of running the offense. Steelers need to be mindful of defending perimeter but can't allow Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards to "gore" them.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Vince Williams, Vance McDonald and Anthony Chickillo are "hopeful" for getting healthy for the Ravens game. Not so much for FB Roosevelt Nix, who appears to be unlikely to return Sunday
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Tomlin on injuries: "Not a lot of clarity from last night's game."
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Conner (ankle) is being evaluated. Heyward also with his quad could be limited early in the week.
Tomlin said the defense's ability to "stand up" after early adversity was a key to the game.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Tomlin said it was "challenging" playing without the team's top 2 tight ends against Bengals, which contributed to running backs carrying heavy workload.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Tomlin opens by saying it's important for the Steelers to get ready to get back to work quickly on a short week.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
Tomlin press conference set to begin momentarily. Will he have much to say 12 hours after he last met with the media?
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 1, 2019
