The Steelers will begin practicing today for Sunday’s game at Cleveland, and they’ll continue patching the holes in the lineup due to injuries.
Coach Mike Tomlin had a long list of ailments to highlight at his weekly news conference yesterday, starting with inside linebacker Kwon Alexander, who is out for the year with an Achilles tear. The defense is also missing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and lineman Montravious Adams, and safety Keanu Neal was injured in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Packers. All will be monitored to determine their availability for Sunday. On offense, Pat Freiermuth is eligible to return from injured reserve and Tomlin sounded hopeful, but uncertain if the tight end can play this week.
At inside linebacker, Tomlin says the Steelers will fill from within the roster rather than look outside the organization. He says the practice squad is stocked with capable players, like Mykal Walker, a former starting linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons.
Tomlin also commented on quarterback Kenny Pickett’s development, saying he’s pleased that the Steelers are winning, but that he needs more output from his quarterback, who is ranked 25th in the NFL in passer rating.
Tomlin says the Steelers will be challenged against the Browns, first because it’s a division game on the road, but also because the Browns are probably playing the best defense in the NFL.
One of the biggest problems playing the Browns is trying to handle defensive end Myles Garrett, who is the early favorite for defensive player of the year.
The Steelers put Kwon Alexander on injured reserve yesterday and released guard Joey Fisher and tight end Scotty Washington from the practice squad. According to NFL Insider Aaron Wilson, they worked out two other tight ends, former Ravens draft pick Ben Mason and ex-Raider John Samuel Shenker. They have four open slots on their practice squad so more moves will likely come today.
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