Mike Tomlin gave his usual list of injured players today when he spoke to the media, telling everyone exactly what they wanted to know about the chances of QB Ben Roethlisberger playing Sunday.
Tomlin said that Roethlisberger “will take steps towards playing this week. We’ll leave the door open for him. He’s got a chance.”
For now, Charlie Batch, who threw three picks in the 20-14 loss to the Browns, will remain the starter at QB. Byron Leftwich threw some Monday, but it doesn’t sound like he will be able to go.
“Right now Charlie Batch is our quarterback,” said Tomlin. “We are working offensively to put together a plan to complement his strengths. That is our plan until otherwise. These guys will be participating in some form or fashion.
“We’ll let that participation or the result of the participation guide us in terms of their availability as we push to the later part of the week and see where those guys are a little later in the week. As we sit here today and we are preparing and putting together a plan we are doing so with Charlie Batch being our quarterback.”
As far as leading wide out Antonio Brown goes, the receiver will practice starting tomorrow, and he is set to play Sunday if he doesn’t have any major setbacks.
The team may also get back receiver Jerricho Cotchery, as he ran Monday and is expected to be practice on a limited basis on Wednesday with as Tomlin said, “An eye toward playing.”
Safety Troy Polamalu is also supposed to practice this week and could play on Sunday. As far as tackle Willie Colon goes, Tomlin said he’s improving and may rest a little early in the week, but has a “strong chance” of playing.
Linebacker LaMarr Woodley will start the week as doubtful due to his ankle injury. If he can’t play, Jason Worilds will get the start. Rookie tackle Mike Adams is out for Sunday and fellow rookie Kelvin Beachum will be his replacement.
Tomlin also stated that as far as the running backs go, Jonathan Dwyer will get the start vs the Ravens Sunday. All the backs had to sit at some point Sunday in Cleveland after each one of them fumbled.
“Jonathan Dwyer is going to start for us,” said Tomlin. “He has been consistently the most productive guy. I think we’ve got a large enough body of work to identify that at this point. We’ve been working at less than ideal circumstances with the rotation and shuffling those guys due to health and lack of production. But over the course of the last several weeks it is obvious he is healthy and he is the most productive of the group.
“He will start for us and get the bulk of the carries. The other guys will supplement him in some form or fashion based on situation and how we formulate a game plan.”
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Pingback: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Has a Shot to Play Sunday; Batch the Starter for Now - Unofficial Network
Jalen
November 27, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Dude, Matt, myh do u publish these ridiculous lead links?!?!? When I log onto the fan and see that there’re comments, I don’t wanna waste my time reading someone else’s link!!!!
Jalen
November 27, 2012 at 5:18 pm
I just heard on Starkey and Miller that mile Wallace is important be cause be draws double teams all the time! What a bunch of hogwash! Usain Bolt would draw double teams too but I don’t see him suiting up. Bottom line is a number one who is NOT a one trick pony needs to produce much much more than he has since middle of last year. He has shown a cowardly streak with much of the job descriptions that don’t revolve around speed and God forbid Wallace does anything extra physical like break up interceptions or make better attempts at under thrown passes!
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George H
November 28, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Random thought:
With Adams being hurt and unfortunately Beachum likely to take over RT, what are the thoughts of moving Foster to RT and start DeCastro if hes healthy enough to go?
I would also think Colon could slide back to RT, but he really seems to have much more value at LG now. And I suppose in the scenario that DeCastro isnt game shape yet, then Colon goes to RT and Legursky takes over LG.
DrGeorge
November 29, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Intriguing thoughts, George H. Here’s my take:
Beachum holds like Kemoeatu and wears “68” to boot. I don’t know what they see in him. He was on my pre-season cut list. He lacks the strength and quickness to play well at this level.
LG is Colon’s natural position, and the staff seems reluctant to use Legursky at LG. So my guess is Foster goes to RT when DeCastro is healthy enough to play RG — but I haven’t heard that he’s ready yet. With all our injuries, any combo may take the field on Sunday. But if we have to play Beechum, it means we’ve run out of options, good or otherwise.
As for your thought below about picking up McClain, the Steelers passed on him when he was available, perhaps because of money, but more likely because of his knee and his attitude. He was a stud for the Ravens, but his best days are far behind him. It doesn’t matter, anyway. Until we get our line solidified, even Larry Csonka and Jim Brown in their prime would struggle to make yards for us. And there are no quality linemen available.
Ben R. compensated for a lot of our deficiencies the last two years, and the deficiencies were ignored. Now that Ben’s injured, the flaws are glaringly obvious, but it’s too late to plug in new talent. In short, there are no easy solutions for Tomlin and Haley. They are going to have to get creative.
Jalen
November 29, 2012 at 8:37 pm
He’s referring to Rolando McClain, stud 6’3″ 255 lb speedy ILB that was taken by the Raiders with the 8th overall pick of the 2010 draft out of Alabama! I was salivating over him during the draft but knew he’d be gone by the 18th pick and we’d get Pouncey! If he could get over himself, he is very talented!
George H
November 30, 2012 at 10:09 am
Thanks for clarifying that jalen. I was huge on McClain in college and leading up to the draft. I realize its not likely he will be coming to us now but it would be great nonetheless. He’s definitely worth the gamble. He has to be pretty crazy to get run out of Oakland!
Also I hear that pouncey will play LG and Legursky will start at center. Not a bad idea… Intrigued to see how pouncey performs
DrGeorge
November 30, 2012 at 10:16 am
Yes, Jalen. You’re quite right. I mistakenly thought the reference was to Le-Ron McClain (Rolando’s cousin) who was a stud for the Ravens and is now a FB with the Chargers. My apologies to George H. Rolando is a more interesting proposition. Rolando isn’t available yet, to my knowledge, although he is in the coach’s doghouse in Oakland and might be made available for a small inducement.
George H
November 28, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Also just read the McClain just got cut in OAK. Supposedly he has a bad attitude and is a knucklehead off the field, but he was a top ten pick and really seems like he could be a monster in the right system. I wouldnt mind giving him a shot… Thoughts?