As he usually does every week, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke with the media on Tuesday, September 24. This time, the list of updated injuries was available well in advance of Week 4.
“I’ll touch on a few things from a health standpoint,” Tomlin said. revealing that this weekend’s game against the Indianapolis Colts will see tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee), cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring), and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) all “look to be out” or unavailable.
Regarding the latter, the “Steelers [are] bracing for edge rusher Alex Highsmith to miss multiple weeks with his groin injury, per source, but it’s not considered major and he will avoid surgery,” according to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler.
In Highsmith’s place, expect second-year edge rusher Nick Herbig to start, but the depth behind T.J. Watt and his 22-year-old backup is now constrained.
In addition to those three, running back Jaylen Warren’s Week 4 “participation is in question” due to a knee ailment, according to Tomlin.
Positive news: according to Tomlin and ESPN beat writer Brooke Pryor, running back Najee Harris “won’t have any limitations” after touring the team’s facilities on September 23 while wearing a sling on his arm.
A positive update was also provided regarding Isaac Seumalo, the starting guard (pectoral).
Tomlin stated, “Isaac is making his way back to the offensive line.” “We’ll monitor his involvement this week and use the level and caliber of that involvement as a guide.”
While the head coach of the Steelers confirmed that backup offensive linemen Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick will continue to receive reps at left guard and right guard throughout practice, he did not rule Seumalo out for Week 4.
Regarding the issue of the starting quarterback for the Steelers, both for Week 4 and the long run, Tomlin offered no fresh information.
On September 24, Tomlin informed reporters that he and Russell Wilson were “still very much in the same place.” He went on to clarify that Wilson is still regarded “limited” despite a “good workout” on Tuesday.
The Pittsburgh HC went on, “I’m not expecting him to be a full participant tomorrow.” Wilson was mentioned. He also expressed that he wants Justin Fields to be “singularly focused” on starting in Week 4 once again.
As usual, Tomlin restated that he will hold off on making a permanent decision on Wilson’s starting quarterback position until after Wilson returns to full health. Fields will start under center until Wilson returns, but it doesn’t mean Fields will always start.