The Pittsburgh Steelers Week 13 game will be on the road Monday night against the Cincinatti Bengals and it sounds like the team might get a few of their injured offensive players back on the field for that contest.
During his Tuesday press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recapped the health of his team and after officially ruling out cornerback Joe Haden (fibula) out for the Monday night game against the Bengals he said that wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) and tight end Vance McDonald (ankle) both have a shot at playing against the Bengals.
“Two guys that missed this week that definitely have a chance this week are Vance McDonald and JuJu Smith-Schuster,” Tomlin said. “Both guys missed the last game, both guys have an opportunity to play this week. As always, their practice participation and the quality of that participation will be our guide.”
Smith-Schuster missed his first game of the season Sunday night due to a small hamstring injury while McDonald has missed the Steelers last two games with an ankle injury.
Tomlin also said Tuesday that he believes linebacker Ryan Shazier (ankle) and safety Mike Mitchell (ankle) will both be able to play against the Bengals as well.
“They may be limited at the early portions of the week, but should be ready for play,” Tomlin said.
Both Shazier and Mitchell were injured during the Sunday win over the Green Bay Packers but both were able to return and finish the game.
As for Haden, Tomlin wasn’t ready to speculate on Tuesday as to when he might ultimately return from his fractured fibula.
“I don’t have any clarity on his situation, or when he’ll return,” Tomlin said. “Really, as we get close, I’ll ask more definitive questions about where he is. I’m not close enough yet. He’s out this week.”
