The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the Wild Card Round as healthy as one could expect at this point in the season, but there are still plenty of updates from HC Mike Tomlin ahead of Saturday’s playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
In his weekly presser, Tomlin acknowledged that DT Cameron Heyward is still dealing with an illness, which started on Friday evening, Heyward reported after the game. “I have the flu,” he said, “Just been dealing with it.” The Heyward Flu Game against the Cincinnati Bengals was a goodie, and you’d have never guessed he was ill based on his performance, tallying a pressure and three batted passes that were integral to keeping Joe Burrow & Co. in check throughout the game.
Another key injury from Week 18 was to right guard Mason McCormick, now dealing with a broken hand. Tomlin says he will be sized for a cast or brace and evaluate the quality of his practice with that limitation to determine his availability. McCormick, a fourth-round rookie out of South Dakota State, stepped into a starting role following a season-ending Achilles injury to then-starter James Daniels, who is in the final year of his contract with the team. McCormick has earned the 10th-highest PFF pass-blocking grade among rookie OL (min. 100 snaps). It wouldn’t be unprecedented to see him play with a club of sorts. OG Max Scharping is listed as the team’s backup at right guard.
Cornerback Donte Jackson will be someone to watch throughout the week, having missed Week 18 with a nagging back injury suffered in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, having missed Week 16 with the same. Tomlin shared that Jackson is “feeling good” as of Monday morning, but it will be key to monitor his participation in practice throughout the week. Jackson leads the team with five interceptions in his first season with Pittsburgh, acquired in the Diontae Johnson trade.
Fans will also keep an eye on three players looking to make their way back to the active lineup from long-term injuries, as rookies Roman Wilson and Logan Lee had their 21-day practice window from IR activated, and linebacker Cole Holcomb looks to make his return from a season-ending knee injury suffered last season.
Once again, the Steelers are set to play on Saturday this week with kickoff set for Saturday, January 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
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