Steelers – Tuesday Buzz: Tomlin encouraged with Roethlisberger, says Burress is in “really good physical condition”

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin indicated that he is encouraged at where quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is. Roethlisberger who is not expected to be active for Sunday’s game (officially listed as doubtful) had a checkup this week that Tomlin claimed was positive. “All things are very positive at where he is. Encouraged with his status,” Tomlin said. Tomlin by the way only mentioned Roethlisberger’s SC shoulder sprain saying the rib and shoulder are one and the same.

Other encouraging news on the injury front is that Antonio Brown (ankle, questionable) is getting better but he’s still at least a week away. Tomlin said Brown had a good work day this morning and while Brown is unlikely to play Sunday, Pittsburgh could be getting him back for next Sunday’s showdown in Baltimore.

Tomlin expects Isaac Redman (concussion) to be able to play and Redman will be limited in the early portion of the week for precautionary reasons after suffering a concussion.

Marcus Gilbert (questionable) could also be a target to return next week vs Baltimore but like Brown he’s not there yet and likely at least a week away. According to Tomlin, Gilbert will get some individual work in this week.

Troy Polamalu (calf) whose return remains unknown, will run tomorrow, according to Tomlin. Tomlin called Polamalu questionable but he’s not going to play.

Ziggy Hood is officially listed as questionable with a spine sprain but Tomlin appears optimistic he will be able to play.

Leftwich, Cotchery out

Tomlin confirmed that Jerricho Cotchery and Byron Leftwich are officially out of Sunday’s game. Cotchery is expected to miss a few weeks with “multiple rib fractures” and Leftwich also has a fractured rib. Tomlin though indicated that the injuries to both players are not believed to be season ending.

Tomlin: Baltimore won in key phases

Tomlin on why Steelers fell short vs Baltimore: “Baltimore won turnover battle. Obviously one early on, Mike Wallace fumble in our territory (led to field goal). Turnover battle produced 6 points and they got the splash play (special teams) that resulted in seven points.”

Tomlin: Burress in “really good physical condition”/Hoyer impresses in workout

Tomlin confirmed that the Steelers worked out wide receivers Plaxico Burress, Derrick Williams and quarterbacks Brian Hoyer, Matt Kafka this morning.

Tomlin confirmed the Steelers are looking to sign one wide receiver and one quarterback. The belief has been that the Steelers will be signing Burress and likely Kafka but nothing is official at this point and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them sign Brian Hoyer over Kafka. We hear Hoyer impressed in his workout. Burress deal should be finalized this afternoon. “Look at these guys with potential to sign (1 QB, 1 WR),”Tomlin said. “I feel we need to fortifide our depth at those positions.”

The Steelers see Plaxico Burress as a redzone threat and Tomlin says he showed up to his workout in excellent shape.”He’s in really good physical condition,” Tomlin said of Burress.

Updated: 12:50 p.m. – The Steelers are officially signing WR Plaxico Burress and QB Brian Hoyer. The deals will be official at somepoint today. Burress impressed in his workout and the word is the team isn’t bringing him in just to be a stop-gap option for one to two weeks.