Steelers notebook: Mike Tomlin says team won't take Lions lightly

The winless Detroit Lions are all that separates the Pittsburgh Steelers from the rugged second half of their schedule.

The Lions are 0-8 heading into their matchup with the Steelers (5-3) on Sunday at Heinz Field.

While the teams are heading in opposite directions — the Steelers have won four in a row and are a game off the AFC North lead — coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday his team can’t afford to take the Lions lightly.

“I understand they are an 0-8 football team and has faced a lot of adversity,” Tomlin said at his weekly news conference, “but this is the National Football League. There are no FCS games. There are no Group of 5 games. There are no homecomings. Each and every week you are up against it against paid professionals.”

Case in point: the one-loss Dallas Cowboys lost by two touchdowns at home to the Denver Broncos, and the Buffalo Bills were upset 9-6 at one-win Jacksonville.

After the Steelers play the Lions, they face just one team — the 3-5 Minnesota Vikings — that has a losing record. Five of their final eight games are on the road. Tomlin said he is not looking ahead.

“I’m trying to win every week,” he said. “I’m just being honest, regardless of opponent, their record, their reputation. We respect everybody in this league. That does not change our or my intentions.”

Two of the Lions’ losses have come on last-second field goals of 54 and an NFL-record 66 yards. Before heading off to their bye week, the Lions were throttled 44-6 by the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I’m sure this will be a hungry group coming in here searching for their first win,” Tomlin said.

Ray-Ray to stay

After saying after the game that Ray-Ray McCloud’s fumbled punt return that resulted in a touchdown for the Bears was “unacceptable,” Tomlin said McCloud remains the Steelers’ returner on kickoffs and punts.

It was the second game in a row and third time this season McCloud fumbled. It was the first time the Steelers didn’t bail him out with a recovery. The previous week in Cleveland, McCloud fumbled on a punt return only to have teammate Justin Layne pounce on the loose ball.

McCloud has fumbled five times in 23 career games with the Steelers and 10 times in an NFL career that included stints in Buffalo and Carolina. It was the fourth lost fumble of McCloud’s career that has spanned 40 games.

Tomlin, though, didn’t rule out making changes on the offensive line after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked four times, tying a season high. Left guard Dan Moore was beaten for two of the sacks. If Zach Banner is inserted at right tackle, Chuks Okorafor could move to the left side.

“We’ll see what this week holds,” Tomlin said. “Zach will be included in the mix this week just like some others. At the end of the week, we’ll decide who gives us the best chance, and that is what we will go with.”

Injury update

Wide receiver Chase Claypool is dealing with a toe injury that required an MRI. Tomlin said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and inside linebacker Robert Spillane could be limited early in the practice week with ankle injuries. Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs has a hip injury.

Tomlin said tight end Eric Ebron, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, could resume practicing Wednesday as the Steelers begin preparations for the Lions.