This time, Coach Mike Tomlin had some good news to impart during his typical accounting of the team's injury situation that's always an anticipated part of his weekly news conference.
Troy Polamalu, who was removed from the game after stopping Maurice Jones-Drew on a third-and-1 with 9:36 remaining in the fourth quarter last Sunday because of concussion-like symptoms, passed a concussion test and has been cleared to practice when the team begins to prepare for the Arizona Cardinals.
"Troy appears to be good to go," said Tomlin. "He did a concussion test, and he passed it. He met with our neurosurgeon, and he's very comfortable with where he is. We anticipate him practicing on Wednesday and moving on throughout the week along with everyone else on our football team."
There also is a chance in Tomlin's mind for the team to get back Marcus Gilbert (shoulder), Chris Kemoeatu (knee) and Jason Worilds (quadriceps).
"We got some guys coming back, thankfully," said Tomlin. "Marcus Gilbert is going to potentially be back this week and practicing. We'll let his practice participation dictate when he plays. Mewelde Moore is another guy who is capable of working during this week, and we'll let that work dictate where we go from there."
Gilbert had missed last week's game with a shoulder injury, Moore with a high ankle sprain. But it wasn't all good news.
"Mike Wallace has a minor hamstring, and it may limit him in the early portions of the week," said Tomlin. "Unfortunately, Doug Legursky is going to be out and out for a number of weeks with a dislocated toe. It didn't require surgery, but if you see him walking around, you'll see him walking around in a boot. He will be out for a number of weeks."
Trai Essex went into the game to replace Legursky at left guard, and he seemingly would be an option there this week along with Kemoeatu.
"Some other guys who have been out are getting closer to participating, but probably are still going to remain on the outside looking in this week – those guys are Casey Hampton, James Harrison and Aaron Smith," said Tomlin.
Chris Hoke was knocked out of the game against the Titans with a stinger, and he did not return. Tomlin said the reason Hoke was kept out was because the stinger caused a loss of strength in the nose tackle's shoulder. Hoke won't return until the strength in his shoulder returns. When that will be is currently an unknown.
Tomlin also said that injured players who are capable of returning will not necessarily be anointed as starters. Tomlin used the example of Rashard Mendenhall as a player who showed the coaches he was capable of playing at the level of a starter before he reclaimed his job.
