Steelers' Mike Tomlin says Matt Feiler, Robert Spillane could be available for start of playoffs
As coach Mike Tomlin prepares for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff opener Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, he does so knowing he might get a starting left guard and inside linebacker back from injured reserve.
Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference guard Matt Feiler and inside linebacker Robert Spillane could be activated and available to play against the Cleveland Browns in an AFC wild-card round game at Heinz Field.
Spillane missed the final four games of the regular season with a knee injury. Feiler sat out the past three games with a pectoral injury.
“The potential inclusion of those guys is exciting, but it creates some challenges from a decision-making standpoint because we feel like we’ve got some options,” Tomlin said. “That’s a good problem to have as we prepare to work this week.”
Tomlin expects safety Terrell Edmunds (shoulder) and kicker Chris Boswell (groin) to resume practicing this week. Edmunds sat out the season finale at Cleveland, and Boswell has missed the past two games.
Rookie Kevin Dotson has started at left guard in Feiler’s absence. Avery Williamson, acquired from the New York Jets in a trade, has stepped into the role filled by Spillane, who moved into the starting lineup when Devin Bush was lost to a season-ending knee injury in October.
Tomlin wouldn’t speculate whether Feiler would regain his job in place of Dotson, who has earned high grades in his extended playing time.
“That doesn’t become a component of play unless Feiler is available,” Tomlin said. “Until Feiler becomes available, I won’t spend a lot of time pondering those possibilities.”
Cameron Sutton is expected to start at cornerback for a second consecutive week in place of Joe Haden, who has tested positive for covid-19 and likely won’t be available in the playoff opener. Tomlin praised the play of Dotson and Sutton.
“Both guys have been more than adequate,” he said. “They helped our cause. They helped their cause from a career standpoint. I have confidence in both guys regardless of what we ask them to do this weekend.”
Tomlin declined to say whether tight end Eric Ebron, who is on the covid-19 list, would be eligible to be activated by Sunday. Ebron and backup outside linebacker Cassius Marsh were placed on the list along with Haden, but it is not known whether they tested positive or merely came into close contact with Haden.
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Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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