PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There are a few injuries already as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said a couple will keep important players out for Monday night and longer and they are optimistic about four others.
Tomlin said they won’t turn a blind eye to looking at players currently outside the organization, calling it appropriate business. He said they are comfortable with the depth they’ve been able to assemble.
Cam Heyward-DL
Tomlin said he doesn’t have a lot of details about the length of time he is out, will know more details after his surgery.
“Obviously losing Cam is significant,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “That’s what team is about. Replacing Cam is not a one-man job, it is a multiple-man job and a coach’s job because it changes your schematics when you lose significant players.”
“I’ve been really impressed with the growth and development of not only (DeMarvin) Leal and (Isaiahh) Loudermilk, but younger guys like Keeanu Benton and others. I thought that was one of the strengths of our group in team development. It won’t be a long period of time that we will get a chance to see what that depth looks like in play.”
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Diontae Johnson-WR
Would only say he’s probably unavailable with a hamstring injury, not sure how long he will be out.
“Feel real comfortable with our in-house people, Gunner and others, in terms of being elevated and ready,” Tomlin said. “Allen Robinson has a pretty big role, obviously that subject to change based on schematics. That’s why we went and got him. He’s a steady presence, a professional. I think it’s a reasonable expectation that his role might group due to game circumstances especially if you are down a significant contributor like Diontae.”
Tomlin said he is encouraged with the following players because they have an extra day of preparation.”
Pat Freiermuth-TE
Chest injury, caught the only touchdown of the game, but two plays before that was popped hard. He was in-and-out of the rest of the game Sunday.
Chukwuma Okorafor-RT
Starting right tackle went into concussion protocol with four plays left in the game. In that game and all camp long Dan Moore slid over to the right side with first-round pick Broderick Jones on the left. Tomlin said he wouldn’t get into hypotheticals, but that likely would be the case Monday if Okorafor can’t go. Okorafor has played over 1,000 snaps the last three seasons including every snap last year.
James Daniels-RG
Called it bumps and bruises that could limit him through the week, Nate Herbig would be the backup, he has battled through a shoulder injury towards the end of training camp.
Larry Ogunjobi-DL
Was questionable for the game last week due to a foot injury and likely won’t practice much this week. He was able to play 63% of the snaps against the 49ers.