Talent, depth could be thin due to lengthy injury report
Chief among the Steelers’ concerns this week is the lengthy injury list that could leave them without a handful of key players Sunday night when they play host to the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field.
At his weekly news conference Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin listed left guard Ramon Foster (chest), linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee) and slot receiver Eli Rogers (turf toe) as “very questionable.”
The status of safeties Robert Golden (hamstring) and Sean Davis (back) also is up in the air. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons punctured a wound in his shin Sunday in Philadelphia, Tomlin said, and had to be transported to a nearby hospital to fix the problem.
Timmons returned in time to see the end of the game, a 34-3 Steelers loss, and is expected to be available this week.
Golden had an MRI Monday and is still being evaluated. Davis led the Steelers with six tackles Sunday. As a rookie, Tomlin said, Davis needs to practice in order to participate on game day.
An answer for the threadbare depth in the secondary could be cornerback Justin Gilbert, the former firstround pick acquired Sept. 3 from the Cleveland Browns.
Tomlin said Gilbert, an option both at kick returner and cornerback, has been “doing some nice things for us in practice.”
“He’s past the learningwhat-to-do stage now, in both phases,” he said.
“Now he’s moving on to the critical element of getting enough detail to be successful, where we’re comfortable and he’s comfortable.”
As for filling other potential holes, Tomlin said, linebacker Vince Williams can flip to Shazier’s side, and Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey are likely to replace Rogers in the slot.
Two players, center Cody Wallace (knee) and fullback Roosevelt Nix (back), participated in a limited capacity in practice last week and could be available to return to action Sunday.
Ring the Bell
Tomlin has not spelled out how the Steelers intend to hand out carries moving forward, but this much is certain: “Rest assured you’re going to see Le’Veon Bell and probably a lot of him on Sunday,” he said. Bell is back from a threegame suspension and eager to shoulder a heavy load.
DeAngelo Williams ran for 258 yards in the first three weeks and added 14 receptions for 89 yards.
“We’re going to let practice be our guide in terms of that division of labor,” Tomlin said, adding Bell is “highly conditioned” and up to speed on the offensive schemes.
The Steelers must make a roster move by 4 p.m. Thursday in order to add Bell.
At this point, Tomlin said, he does not anticipate injuries forcing more moves this week — “but stay tuned,” he said.
Greene’s day
The rock band Styx is dedicating its show Saturday night at Benedum Theatre to former Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene, who last month was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The band also will perform the national anthem before the game Sunday at Heinz Field.
“I grew up in Southern Illinois a Styx fan,” Greene said in a statement. “It was great to finally meet the guys in 2001. We have been friends ever since, and I’m excited that my beloved Steelers have adopted the Styx song ‘Renegade’ as the unofficial Steeler fight song in the new millennium.”
Greene will receive his Hall of Fame ring in a halftime ceremony Sunday.