Help on the Way: Steelers Could Get Players Back from IR This Week

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have four players that will be eligible to return from the injured reserve or physically unable to perform list this week, and head coach Mike Tomlin said that it’s likely that some of them will indeed return to practice.

Tackle Dylan Cook, defensive lineman Logan Lee and outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon are all eligible to return from the injured reserve list this week and additionally, linebacker Cole Holcomb can come off the PUP list.

“I hadn’t had those meetings yet, but probably,” Tomlin said during his weekly press conference at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday. “There’s a level of excitement there. We’ll see what their participation looks like and the quality of their participation and harden that up as we get closer to came time.”

Cook suffered a Lisfranc injury on Aug. 17 and is still expected to need another couple weeks to get back into game shape. Cook would provide some much-needed depth along the offensive line with Troy Fautanu out for the season and versatile backup Spencer Anderson being needed so often at guard.

Moon has been dealing with an ankle injury since that same Week 2 preseason game, and he could be a player that potentially returns right at four weeks. Moon is another player that could get right back into the rotation with Alex Highsmith already ruled out this week and Nick Herbig also banged up.

Lee suffered a calf injury in late August and also could be an option to return quickly, though it’s less clear where he’d fit in the team’s rotation on the defensive line.

Holcomb has been out since suffering a major knee injury that required surgery on Nov. 2 last year. His presence could give the Steelers a serious amount of depth at inside linebacker when paired with Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson.

“I’m comfortable with the way things are trending from that positional group, but obviously, a guy like Cole Holcomb, man, you get him back in the mix, that’s not gonna do anything but help us,” Tomlin said.

In addition to the four players eligible to return this week, linebacker Tyler Matakevich and wide receiver Ben Skowronek will be able to come off the IR next week, with Cory Trice Jr. and suspended cornerback Cameron Sutton able to return in Week 8, when the Steelers have a bye.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT