Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert missed practice on Wednesday due to a toe injury but he was back at work on Thursday and he's been eagerly anticipating Sunday afternoon's matchup with Cleveland all along.
When you've been on the type of roll Gilbert has been on of late you can't wait for that next opportunity.
"We've just been playing together as a line," Gilbert said. "A lot of guys have been making plays up front and the running backs have been making plays behind us.
"Just trying to get this train rolling."
Gilbert's play has been especially noticeable over the past three games.
On Oct. 25 at Kansas City, he held Justin Houston to one tackle, one assist and one pass defensed.
On Nov. 1 against Cincinnati, Gilbert limited Carlos Dunlap to two tackles.
And last Sunday against Oakland, Gilbert pitched a shutout against Khalil Mack (zero tackles, assists, sacks, tackles for a loss, quarterback hits and passes defensed).
Those three have combined for 18 sacks this season (Dunlap 9.5, Houston 5.5 and Mack 4.0).
They went a combined 0-for-3 against the Steelers.
"When you're going against players like that you have to step it up a notch," Gilbert said. "They're impact players, game-changers, too. It's all about bringing your 'A' game, being an 'A' player, playing an 'A' game and making 'A' plays.
"Players have to bring their 'A' game in an 'A'-type game. I put that on my shoulders and I play it with pride."
Gilbert acknowledges he's been doing that of late and he maintains offensive line coach Mike Munchak has everything to do with it.
"This is my second year with 'Coach Munch,'" said Gilbert, a fifth-year pro. "I'm really getting what he's teaching and just taking coaching. He's helped a lot of us grow tremendously as a player and as a person.
"I'm thankful to have a coach like 'Coach Munch.'"
STATUS REPORT
OUT - TE Matt Spaeth (knee), LB Terence Garvin (knee), LB James Harrison (knee), S Shamarko Thomas (knee).
QUESTIONABLE - QB Ben Roethlisberger (foot).
PROBABLE - LB Ryan Shazier (knee), RB DeAngelo Williams (foot), TE Heath Miller (not injury related), FB/TE Will Johnson (back), RB Isaiah Pead (knee), NT Steve McLendon (elbow), WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring), Gilbert.
