Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin met the media today for his weekly Tuesday press conference to discuss the loss to the Texans this past Sunday as well as the upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday at Heinz Field. Tomlin also provided an injury update on all of the walking wounded. Below is the audio of the presser and the talking points from today.
[audio:https://steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mike-tomlin-week-5-titans-press-conference.mp3]Outside linebacker James Harrison will be out several weeks with a right orbital fracture around his eye and will have surgery on Wednesday. Lawrence Timmons will take his spot and Larry Foote will assume the Timmons spot inside. Cortez Allen has a right ankle sprain that makes him questionable for this week. Casey Hampton has a right shoulder contusion that might limit him this week. Rashard Mendenhall has a right hamstring strain and he may be limited early this week in practice as well. Mewelde Moore has a left ankle sprain that Tomlin described as severe and he too is questionable. Aaron Smith has a right mid foot sprain and is extremely questionable for this week. Jason Worilds has a left quad strain and Tomlin termed him doubtful for this week. Nothing broken in the left foot of Ben Roethlisberger, but the strain might limit him in the early portions of practice this week. Tomlin anticipates he will play on Sunday. Doug Legursky, Jonathan Scott and Brett Keisel may all return to the starting lineup this week.
Tomlin did the typical praising of the opponent and understands they have had problems running the football much like the Steelers have. Says they have some vertical type tight ends. Says their offense is well rounded. Defensively their front four is very disruptive.
Tomlin did not rule out bringing in another running back to simulate Chris Johnson in practice this week.
If Scott and Legursky are ready this week they will go back into the starting line-up on the offensive line.
Charlie Batch will be ready if needed and will get extra snaps this week in practice.
Isaac Redman will get the bulk of the reps in the early part of the week and will be the feature back if Mendenhall can\’t go on Sunday. Tomlin said he expects Jonathan Dwyer to be ready this week due to the injuries.
Tomlin strongly hinted that the team will practice twice in pads this week.
Keisel did well in his run test and looks on track to play. Run stop problems are not due to his absence.
More recap coming soon.
