The Steelers began their preparation for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium with quarterback the talk of the town once again.
Coach Mike Tomlin said he is optimistic about quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning to the field this week after he was inactive last week against the Chicago Bears with a fracture in his left wrist. Rodgers did not practice on Wednesday.
"Aaron worked his tail off to get to us last week, but as I mentioned, over the course of the weekend, it was a prudent and appropriate decision," said Tomlin of the decision to sit him. "We'll start this week with great optimism, although we certainly will limit him at the early portions of the week, provide opportunities for the other quarterbacks while preserving him.
"Again, we're comfortable with the general trajectory, but I'll keep you updated with his level of participation, and the quality of his participation over the course of the week will be the greatest indicator."
Tomlin said only time will tell if the week off was enough to alleviate any concerns he might have about Rodgers' wrist.
"There were so many unknowns last week because it just is lack of work during the course of the week," said Tomlin. "I think there will be less unknowns regarding that topic, and that's what makes this week an encouraging one. That's why we're hopeful."
Rodgers received some work in practice last week, as he was limited on Thursday and Friday. How much work he will get in practice this week is yet to be determined.
"Again, what he needs and what others might need are certainly different topics of conversation, but we don't focus on bare minimum in terms of what he needs," said Tomlin. "Our goal is to proceed and proceed with caution appropriately while at the same time giving him all the work that we can afford to give him.
"We're certainly going to live that day by day. He clocks in and visits with (head athletic trainer) Gabe (Amponsah) and the training staff every morning, and we kind of build a plan from there.
"We'll see where the week leads us."
Tomlin said he will always lean on the advice of the medical experts over a player who just wants to get on the field and play.
"I think first and foremost you lean on the advice of the medical experts," said Tomlin. "I'm not going to take his competitive spirit and his will to compete as a negative. Those are positives. But certainly, it's our job as leaders to exercise appropriate precaution and first and foremost for me are the opinions of the medical staff."
The Steelers will be without two key starters this week, left tackle Broderick Jones and rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
Jones suffered a neck injury against the Bears last week and has been ruled out.
With Jones out, it will be veterans Calvin Anderson or Andrus Peat who get the start. Anderson stepped in last week when Jones went out, while Peat was inactive.
"Feel really confident with what Calvin has given us," said Tomlin. "He's been that guy that's a swing tackle for us, and he's shown really good capabilities in that area.
"But we're also extremely comfortable with Peat, and that's one of the reasons why we acquired Peat in the team development process. There's a guy that has a resume that started wire to wire that came into this league as a first rounder, and so certainly he has a different profile than Calvin.
"We like both guys, both guys are veteran professionals who they have a certain level of preparedness and maturity that they bring to work every day. So, we're going to prepare both guys, and we'll have more clarity as we get close to the game time."
Harmon, who injured his knee against the Bears, has also been ruled out. With Harmon out, it could be multiple players who are asked to step up, including rookie Yahya Black.
"Really encouraged by his growth," said Tomlin of Black. "I think his play time is reflective of that. We like our young D-linemen, and we've acquired a new one in Brodric (Martin-Rhodes). Sometimes guys will get an opportunity, one man's misfortune is another man or other men's opportunity. So, we're encouraged by the depth that we have at that position.
"We'll take the collective through the week. We can see who can execute, detail, and I'm sure it will be more than one person. It often is when we're talking about losing somebody that's starter caliber."
Other players who are dealing with injuries are linebacker Alex Highsmith, who missed the Bengals and Bears games with his pectoral injury.
"He's been out the last couple of weeks, but we're optimistic as we start the week about his inclusion this week," said Tomlin.
In addition, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hip), receiver DK Metcalf (ankle) and receiver Ben Skowronek (shoulder) are all dealing with injuries.
"A couple of guys that are managing some in-game things from last week that may be limited to the early portions of the week, and we'll see where their participation leads," said Tomlin.
The full injury and practice report are below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Wednesday, November 26
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (Ankle) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - DNP
No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr. (Hip) - Limited
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 77 OT Broderick Jones (Neck) - DNP
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (Ankle) - Limited
No. 99 DT Derrick Harmon (Knee) - DNP
Buffalo Bills Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Wednesday, November 26
No. 17 QB Josh Allen (Right Elbow) - Full
No. 8 LB Terrel Bernard (Elbow) - DNP
No. 97 DE Joey Bosa (Wrist) - Full
No. 79 OL Spencer Brown (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 73 OL Dion Dawkins (Concussion) - DNP
No. 41 FB Reggie Gilliam (Knee) - Full
* No. 68 OL Tylan Grable (Concussion) - Full
No. 31 CB Maxwell Hairston (Concussion) - Limited
No. 92 DT Daquan Jones (Illness) - DNP
No. 86 TE Dalton Kincaid (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 72 DT Phidarian Mathis (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 5 WR Joshua Palmer (Ankle) - Limited
No. 1 WR Curtin Samuel (Elbow/Knee) - DNP
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
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