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Good news out of HC Mike Tomlin’s weekly press conference…
The Pittsburgh Steelers are on a short turnaround between Weeks 11 and 12, set to play another physical AFC North matchup on Thursday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns — just four days out from the bruiser that was their Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. On the cusp of that short turnaround, HC Mike Tomlin offered several injury updates in his weekly press conference on Monday — most of which were positive.
The biggest concern coming out of Week 11 was the status of second-year DT Keeanu Benton, who was forced from the game late with what appeared to be a knee injury and did not return. Tomlin shared Monday that it appears to be a “non-issue.”
“All of the guys that sustained something in-game, it doesn’t appear to be an issue moving forward, so that’s exciting,” Tomlin elaborated. Among the others that sustained an in-game injury in Week 11 were second-year CB Joey Porter Jr., who made multiple exits in this game, though he did return. He is reportedly dealing with a shin contusion.
Among those who could return to the lineup in Week 12 is MyCole Pruitt, dealing with a nagging knee injury over the course of the season. Tomlin stated that he “liked the trajectory” for him, even on a short week, though it seems likely he’ll continue to see his practice reps managed, particularly with this quick turnaround to Thursday night.
CB Cory Trice Jr. will be among those worth watching, having had the team open up his 21-day practice window on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Trice has been out of the lineup since suffering his injury in Week 3 but could be a key depth piece to get back should Porter Jr. be limited in any way with his injury this week. Notably, Donte Jackson had also been dealing with a hamstring injury ahead Week 11, though he did plat a full allotment of snaps with 90% of defensive snaps against the Ravens — an encouraging sign.
Tomlin acknowledged that he hadn’t received an update regarding OLB Alex Highsmith, currently dealing with an ankle injury, but that he assumes he’s “more out than in” at this point in the week, which makes sense given the short turnaround for a Thursday night game. He didn’t officially rule him out, though, a generally encouraging sign for his long-term outlook. Highsmith was originally expected to miss 2-3 weeks with the injury, which would put him in line for a return in Week 13 or 14, so an absence on this short week would not be unexpected.
Second-year OLB Nick Herbig started in place of Highsmith in Week 11, returning from a hamstring injury himself, playing a season-high 82% of snaps without any setbacks. He notched two tackles, a QB hit and forced the key fumble against future Hall of Fame RB Derrick Henry on the opening drive.