PITTSBURGH — Steelers running back Anthony McFarland and cornerback Levi Wallace are still dealing with injuries but could return for Thursday’s clash with the Tennessee Titans, Mike Tomlin said on Monday in his press conference.
McFarland is ‘in consideration‘ to return from injured reserve. The team has yet to see McFarland return after they opened his 21-day window. Godwin Igwebuike has played the last two weeks to give him an audition, while McFarland has continued to work back from a knee injury that caused swelling.
McFarland played well in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, especially as a kickoff returner. He returned three kicks for 91 yards in that game for a 30.3-yard average. That’s the second-best average of any player with more than one kickoff return in the NFL this season, behind only Denver Broncos rookie Marvin Mims.
McFarland also had two catches for 11 yards in the opener and seemed to have carved out a role as a pass-catching back with a solid preseason in his fourth NFL year. He was a full participant in all three practice sessions this week and did not have an injury status for the game, but the team did not put him back on the 53-man roster.
Wallace suffered a foot injury against the Rams. He was limited all week leading up to their game against the Jaguars but missed the game. Even if he does return, Tomlin indicated that Joey Porter Jr. would be the starter. Participation will be their guide on whether Wallace will return. Tomlin seemed impressed by how Darius Rush has handed himself with the Steelers and would like to see the rookie continue to step up. Wallace, as a veteran who has become supplanted, will be playing in the dime packages over James Pierre when he does return to the lineup.