PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – No sacks and a mile of rushing yards allowed against the Vikings, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expects to get some help for the game against Tennessee.
Tomlin said Tuesday that outside linebackers TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith could return. Watt played only 25 snaps before leaving with a groin injury and Highsmith left a few snaps later. More bodies for the defensive line as well with the possibility of Carlos Davis (knee) and Isaiah Buggs (ankle) coming back.
Corner Joe Haden has been out since the tie with the Lions with a foot injury, there is a possibility Haden would return. Haden was not having a great year before the injury with no interceptions and five passes defended, but would bring a veteran presence back there.
Linebacker Robert Spillane is known for his run stopping ability, Tomlin said Spillane, who is already back from the COVID-19 list, could return from his knee injury. The Steelers are currently 30th in the league in rushing yards allowed.
The offensive line will have Joe Haeg back and JC Hassenauer could return off injured reserve as either could fill into the guard spot open by the injury to Kevin Dotson. Undrafted free agent John Leglue started against the Vikings as the Steelers allowed five sacks and seven quarterback hits on Thursday.
Tomlin said they are excited about the potential of adding these players with 11 days in-between games. He believes it could bring immediate help to the horrible result along both lines against the Vikings. Tomlin made the comments after the game of leaving no stone unturned, the bodies back give him options.
"We got a lot of guys potentially available to us that weren't available to us a week ago," Tomlin said.
What about the add of Zach Banner, he's been active for a month, yet has not returned to his starting spot at right tackle.
"At times it's been physical," Tomlin said. "He's proven his health. More than anything it's cohesion and opportunity. We've sustained a lot in the interior portions of our line and less so at tackle and he's a tackle and tackle only. I think we have been through four or five left guards. That's not a position he plays."
