Week 11 Mike Tomlin Press Conference roundup
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed today that the injury to Troy Polamalu is not as severe as once believed.
Polamalu suffered a PCL sprain, opposed to last time when he had an MCL injury. Polamalu is expected to be held out against Kansas City this Sunday but there are strong indications that Polamalu will be able to play against Baltimore in week 12.
“Troy’s status for this game is probably questionable at best, although we’ve had some favorable information in regards to where he is from a health standpoint, ” Mike Tomlin said.

“We’re going to take it day-to-day with him. I spoke and visited with him yesterday, as he did with the doctors. He’s in a great frame of mind. He feels really good, but we’re going to follow the expert advice that we get from our medical staff in terms of how to proceed. In the short term, we’re going to take it day-to-day and see how he feels when he comes in the building tomorrow.
But really encouraging, more encouraging I think than initially anticipated. We’re going to put one foot in front of the other with him.”
Tomlin also claimed that Polamalu’s PCL sprain is not a re-injury.
“This is a PCL injury, it happens to be to the same knee, but there is no setback in regards to his MCL, ” Tomlin said.
Also on the injury front, Keenan Lewis is questionable for Sunday’s game with a rib injury. Travis Kirschke (calf) and Carey Davis (hamstring) are progressing but both players are likely out for another week.
Both players will participate in individual drills this week according to Tomlin.
The Steelers kick coverage unit was a popular subject today at Tomlin’s press conference. There could be a few personnel changes and at least one change is already known as the Steelers have officially promoted LB Donovan Woods and released LB Arnold Harrison.
“We brought Donovan Woods up from the practice squad and he’s going to have an opportunity to run down the middle of that unit to see if he can bring some energy to the group, ” Tomlin said.
“But it’s not just about the addition of a Donovan Woods. Donovan Woods is not all of the sudden going to make us the most dynamic kickoff coverage team in the NFL. It’s detail. It’s about shedding blocks and making tackles and being schematically.”
Bengals kick returner Benard Scott said after the game that Jeff Reed’s kickoff that led to Scott’s 96 yard touchdown return was a “bad kick” but Tomlin isn’t ready to blame to Reed for the Steelers problems on special teams.
They have been adequate, ” Tomlin said, referring to Jeff Reed’s kickoffs.
“We’ve got to do a better job covering. I liked the position and location of that kick to be honest with you. When you can pin somebody down in the corner and converge on the ball, usually you feel pretty good about it.”
*The 2-7 Kansas City Chiefs will be shorthanded against the Steelers as the Chiefs announced today that No. 1 wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s drug policy.