The Steelers have a lot to fit into a short week with a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium and getting players healthy in a few days isn't an easy thing.
Coach Mike Tomlin already ruled out special teams captain Miles Killebrew, who suffered a 'significant' knee injury in the Steelers win over the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.
"Obviously, Miles Killebrew's injury is significant," said Tomlin. "And he can be described as out."
Not having Killebrew on Thursday is a blow for the special teams unit, but there is also the next man up approach.
"He's our captain, but you guys know the motto that we live by," said Tomlin. "We can certainly hurt for him as a man and as a teammate and a brother and an individual, but from a football perspective, one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity, and we certainly have some capable people, and there's an expectation that others step up and fill in the gaps.
"We're going to divide the labor up based on the skill set in a certain space. One guy might be similar to him in punt team, another guy might be similar to him in terms of what he does on the kickoff team. We'll deal with those individually per space."
While Tomlin was definitive on Killebrew's status, that wasn't the case for receiver Calvin Austin III. Austin missed the Browns game after injuring his shoulder against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, and his status for this week is yet to be determined. The Steelers are only holding a walk-thru on Monday, and on the estimated practice report Austin would not have practiced.
"Calvin missed the last game. We'll see what this week looks like," said Tomlin. "It's a short week. But we do have a good workday tomorrow. We'll see what that holds."
In Austin's absence in the return game, rookie Ke'Shawn Williams stepped up. Williams was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday and returned three punts for 30 yards, including a long of 15 yards. He had a 47-yard punt return called back for an illegal blindside block on the play as well. Williams also returned two kickoffs for 50 yards, a 25-yard average.
"Can't say enough about young Ke as a punt returner getting his first NFL action in place of Calvin," said Tomlin. "For example, I thought he made good decisions. I thought he was mechanically solid, fundamentally solid. But there's a lot of examples of that, and that's just the nature of this journey.
"I don't think there's been a game this year where we haven't elevated someone from our practice squad in some form or fashion in an effort to participate. I just think it's a function of the game and player availability, and that's why we've got to train all our people. We've got to harden the collective. We've got to develop skill, and know-how in all areas, just knowing that at some point in time everyone is going to get an opportunity to show their readiness and their capabilities."
Two players who were on the field Sunday after dealing with injuries were cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey. Porter had missed the last three games, while Ramsey didn't miss any time, other than a few days of practice, after suffering a hamstring injury against the Vikings.
"There were no ill effects of Jalen Ramsey's return to action, Joey Porter Jr.'s return to action," said Tomlin. "There were some bumps and bruises associated with play in game, but nothing that would raise our antennas regarding player availability on Thursday night as I sit here right now."
Last week Tomlin praised the aggressive approach Ramsey took toward his recovery, something that quarterback Aaron Rodgers also took notice of and called him out for after the game.
"I do want to make a point and talk about Ramsey, because what he did this week getting ready to play," said Rodgers. "I've been around the game a long time, and I've seen a lot of guys in a situation where you got a Sunday/Thursday, skip both games. Where maybe they're 85%, but they want to be 100%, because I think there's a fear of failure almost that can paralyze them where if I don't play my best game, then what does that say about me if I'm not 100%?
"I think some guys are scared to go out there and play, but for Jalen to go out there with everything he's accomplished in this league, I just can't say enough about the level of respect I have for him. He had, what, two sacks and pass break-ups and tackles.
"If there was any question about the type of person that he is -- take away the incredible player -- but the person and teammate, I think he just showed all of us the kind of guy that he is by going out there and playing (Sunday)."
Tomlin has seen that desire in Ramsey since he was acquired via a trade with the Miami Dolphins this offseson, and well before that.
"It is certainly a shining example of what professional football is about," said Tomlin. "But I doubt that any of us are surprised by it. Just having been around him since he's gotten here, that's very consistent behavior with what he's displayed throughout. And personally, for a guy like me who has scouted him since was at Florida State, I certainly know that's a component of his football character.
"So, I'm certainly not surprised by it. But it doesn't mean that we don't appreciate it. Not only do we appreciate his willingness to play, we appreciate his playmaking and you need both in order for it to be real. And he certainly provided both."
The estimated practice report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 7
Monday, October 13
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 19 WR Calvin Austin III (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 28 S Miles Killebrew (Knee) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
** Monday's Injury Report is an estimate. The team did not practice, but will hold a walk-thru.
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 7
Monday, October 13
No. 63 G Dylan Fairchild (Knee) - Full
No. 88 TE Mike Gesicki (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 91 DE Trey Hendrickson (Hip) - DNP
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 87 TE Tanner Hudson (Concussion) - DNP
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Ribs) - DNP
No. 71 OT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Full
No. 62 G Lucas Patrick (Calf) - Full
No. 97 DE Shemar Stewart (Ankle) - Full
** The Bengals did not practice on Monday, therefore this report is an estimation of practice participation.
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