Tomlin on the Flu Hitting the Steelers Locker Room “We’re Not Making Excuses”

A 24-hour flu bug has permeated the Steelers locker room and affected several players leading up to Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Tight end Ladarius Green missed Thursday’s practice with an illness, and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was one of four players to sit out Thursday’s session. Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton said up to 15 people in the Steelers facility have suffered a setback this week.

Running back Le’Veon Bell isn’t sick but missed a practice for personal reasons. Coach Mike Tomlin said the absence would not affect his game preparation.

“I’m just thankful that I’ve stayed out of the line of fire,” said Tomlin about the illnesses. “We’re not making excuses. There won’t be. We’ll be there, we’ll be ready to play, this is just part of normal things that happen over the course of a season”