The Steelers began their preparation for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.
Cornerback Darius Slay is in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
"Slay is in the concussion protocol and so we'll let the protocol determine his availability," said Coach Mike Tomlin.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb, who was honored on Tuesday with the Ed Block Courage Award, missed the last two games with an illness but appears to be on the road to recovery.
"Cole Holcomb is still working his way back to us," said Tomlin. "He'll be a limited participant to start the week and we will see where that participation goes in terms of the amount and the quality of it."
Another player who is working his way back is safety Jabrill Peppers. He missed the last two games with a quadricep injury.
"Pep was running in a limited capacity part of last week," said Tomlin. "I imagine that will make him a limited participant and we will go from there."
One player who could be back this week is starting guard Isaac Seumalo. Seumalo, who is a catalyst on the offensive line, missed the Chargers game after dealing with a pectoral injury the last few weeks.
"Isaac Seumalo is expected to participate in some capacity and then kind of build and go on from there," said Tomlin. "But we're optimistic about his return."
Another player on his way back is receiver Scotty Miller, who has missed the last three games.
"Scotty Miller has been cleared to practice with his broken finger," said Tomlin. "We have some other bumps and bruises associated with play that may limit some people. Maybe some veteran players that we manage at the early portions of the week this time of year, but none of those we expect to be significant in terms of player availability."
Slay's status could have impact an on the secondary again this week. Against the Chargers, James Pierre saw extended playing time with Slay out and responded well.
"I thought he played really well, but I thought he's played really well when called upon all year," said Tomlin. "I think it's reflective of how he prepares and the level of professionalism that he brings day in and day out.
"It's been cool to watch the growth and development of his career over the time that he's been here. If you remember, he was an undrafted COVID guy. I think globally it was single-digit guys that made rosters undrafted that COVID year, and he's been one of them.
"I didn't meet him until we reported to camp, and that's a memory. He's always available. He's a dynamic special teams player. He's a rising defender, particularly in 2025."
Another option to see more playing time is Brandin Echols.
"All of those guys have played and have played quality ball and played quality ball in the last game, so it's reasonable to expect them to position themselves, particularly with a week's work, if Slay is unavailable to do so again," said Tomlin. "He certainly will be limited in the course of the week because he's in the protocol. When he's limited that provides additional reps to other people.
"James Pierre for example played a great football game on a limited amount of reps last week. If Slay is unavailable this week, that just means more reps for him during the process of preparation, and so I'm comfortable with our depth there."
The Steelers activated quarterback Will Howard from the Reserve/Injured List to the 53-man roster.
Howard returned to practice on Oct. 22, and the Steelers had a 21-day window to either activate Howard or he remained on the Reserve/Injured List for the remainder of the season.
Howard was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Aug. 28 after dealing with a hand injury in camp and missing all of the preseason.
The full injury and practice report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 11
Wednesday, November 12
No. 13 WR Scotty Miller (Finger) - Full
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (Concussion) - DNP
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers (Quadricep) - Full
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 77 T Broderick Jones (Groin) - DNP
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - DNP
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 11
Wednesday, November 12
* No. 9 QB Joe Burrow (Toe) - Limited
No. 16 QB Joe Flacco (Right Shoulder) - DNP
No. 91 DE Trey Hendrickson (Hip/Pelvis) - DNP
No. 34 HB Samaje Perine (Ankle) - DNP
No. 97 DE Shemar Stewart (Knee) - DNP
No. 24 CB Marco Wilson (Hamstring) - Full
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
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