Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin met the media on Tuesday for his weekly press conference to talk about the win Sunday over the Baltimore Ravens and the upcoming Week 14 game against the San Diego Chargers.
Tomlin also addressed the injury situation in his opening remarks and said fullback Will Johnson (concussion) did suffer a concussion on Sunday and has already started the process of going through the needed battery of test to play against the Chargers. He might be limited in practice early in the week, but Tomlin said that he is moving in the right direction.
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (shoulder) has an AC shoulder sprain that could limit him at the front part of the week, but he should be ready to go by Sunday. Wide receiver Mike Wallace (knee) has some inflammation in his right knee that he jammed on Sunday and he too could be limited early in the week, but like Sanders, he should be a go on Sunday.
Tackle Mike Adams (ankle) will be out again with his high ankle sprain and thus Kelvin Beachum will make his second consecutive start in his place. Safety Ryan Clark (hip) might be limited early in the week with a hip contusion. Tomlin said that they expect guard Willie Colon (knee) back this week, but at the same time he could be limited again early on in the week.
Tomlin said the return of safety Troy Polamalu (calf) on Sunday was a positive thing and that there was no steps backwards in the game. They expect that to continue. Like several others, he might be limited in practice early on in the week in an effort to preserve him.
Tomlin confirmed that cornerback Ike Taylor (ankle) suffered a right ankle fracture on Sunday and that he will be out for at least a couple of weeks. Taylor does not need surgery, however. Cortez Allen will start in his place as expected.
Linebacker LaMarr Woodley (ankle) is questionable at this point, according to Tomlin. They will give him some snaps to see how his body reacts. Tomlin said that he is potentially in play this week.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) might be limited early on in the week, but it was a good start for him in his first game back. He is still working his way back to complete health per Tomlin. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (ribs) is expected to practice fully this week. Quarterback Byron Leftwich (ribs) is getting closer, but will not get an opportunity to prove that this week in practice.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is getting closer and threw on Monday. Tomlin said they will see what he looks like on the field starting on Wednesday. He will be given an opportunity to prove that he is healthy. For right now, Charlie Batch is the guy until Roethlisberger proves he is ready.
