Steelers Blog

Same approach with Troy, James

The Steelers will continue to take the same approach they did last week with safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and linebacker James Harrison (knee), who both missed the New York Jets game.

“We are going to work day to day and look how their body responds to work,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “We’ll start with informal workouts and work up to practice at some point and see where it all leads us. They are potential assets to us, but as you know we focus on the guys that are healthy and preparing. We intend to do that this week with the guys that are going to play, potentially in their place in Chris Carter and Ryan Mundy who have done a solid job for us to this point.”

Also added to the injury list were running back Jonathan Dwyer (turf toe), tackle Marcus Gilbert (right groin strain) and tight end Heath Miller (rib cartilage separation) who all could be limited in practice in the early part of the week.

There is good news in that linebacker Stevenson Sylvester will return to practice this week.

“He is moving back closer to game readiness,” said Tomlin. “We’re going to practice him this week and put him in the Troy and James category and let him work, and see how his body responds to that work and see where the day to day growth from a health standpoint takes us.”

In addition running back Rashard Mendenhall (knee) is expected to get more work in practice this week, but his playing status has not been finalized.

“Maybe we will bump him around a little more in practice this week,” said Tomlin. “He’s done a nice job of running and cutting at full speed. Now let’s see if he can play a little football.”