Steelers coach Mike Tomlin discusses Week 15 game with Titans
Mike Tomlin’s ability to turn over stones, the term he used last week in describing how to get the Pittsburgh Steelers back on track after a loss at Minnesota, will depend on the health of his injured players.
At his weekly press conference Tuesday, Tomlin mentioned eight players who could be available Sunday when the 6-6-1 Steelers face the 9-4 Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field.
Most prominent are cornerback Joe Haden, who could return from a foot injury that kept him sidelined for the past four games, and inside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who left the 36-28 loss against the Vikings because of injuries. Watt injured his groin in the second quarter and Highsmith departed in the third with a knee injury.
Tomlin said the Steelers will evaluate Carlos Davis and Isaiah Buggs (ankle) as options on the defensive line. Joe Haeg was activated from the reserve/covid list Monday and could be a used at guard. Another option is J.C. Hassenauer, an interior offensive lineman who could be activated from injured reserve. Robert Spillane (knee) could return at inside linebacker after missing the past two games.
“It’s a good problem to have, one that we hadn’t really had a lot of,” Tomlin said. “I don’t see it as a negative to have viable guys who are capable and willing to help us pursue victory in this game.”
Tomlin will have a better idea of who will be available this weekend after practice Wednesday. He plans to put his players through a padded practice.
“That will give some of the guys a chance to display readiness and see where they are and better aid us in the decision making we need to make as the week unfolds in terms of who we go to and who we don’t go to,” he said.
The Steelers are 1-3-1 in their past five games and likely need to win three of their final four to make the playoffs. The other three AFC North teams lost Sunday, keeping the Steelers in the hunt for the division title.
“Sitting out the weekend provided perspective of how wide open this field is and our potential place in it,” Tomlin said.
Here is some else of what Tomlin had to say at his press conference:
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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