The Steelers are preparing for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a team that is relatively healthy.
Unlike a week ago when they had just a three-day turnaround to prepare, the players have had more time to rebound this week, giving players a better opportunity to get back on the field.
To borrow a phrase from Coach Mike Tomlin, the arrow is pointed up on the injury front.
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but he could be closer to returning this week, although he did not practice on Wednesday.
"We've got Alex Highsmith leaning in on the return," said Tomlin. "We'll let his participation and the quality of that participation be our guide in terms of whether he gets back in or to what degree he gets back in."
Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. is on the Reserve/Injured (Designated for Return) List to the 53-man roster, but returned to practice on Nov. 14.
Trice has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring against the Los Angeles Chargers, seeing action in only three games.
Tomlin indicated that Trice could have an opportunity to return this week, along with defensive tackle Montravius Adams, who returned to practice on Wednesday.
Adams was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Oct. 22 with a knee injury. He appeared in seven games before his injury, recording eight tackles, five of them solo stops, and one sack.
For his career, Adams has played in 92 games with 24 starts. He has 117 career tackles, 57 of them solo stops, and two and a half sacks.
Adams was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Packers before signing with the New England Patriots in 2021. He also spent part of the 2021 season with the New Orleans Saints, before the Steelers claimed him off their practice squad.
"We've got some other guys who are working their way back to us, like Cory Trice and Mont Adams, who may have an opportunity this week as well," said Tomlin. "Again, we'll leave the door drawn for those guys.
"There's strength in numbers, and obviously we need all the expertise that we can get as the road gets narrow and this competition gets thick as we move into December."
And December football is when every healthy body is needed.
"I know we have big time urgency as we formulate our plans, and I'm excited about putting the group to work in preparation for this opportunity the remainder of the week," said Tomlin.
This will be the third straight AFC North game for the Steelers, and it's something that Tomlin enjoys.
"I love them, to be quite honest with you, in the latter part of the year as the road gets narrow because there's weight on it," said Tomlin. "As a competitor, you like to be in big moments and big games, and so that's exciting."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Wednesday, November 27
** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - DNP
** No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting Vet) - Limited
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 13
Wednesday, November 27
No. 49 LB Joe Bachie (Hip) - Limited
No. 75 OT Orlando Brown Jr. (Fibula) - Limited
No. 9 QB Joe Burrow (Wrist) - Full
No. 5 WR Tee Higgins (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 92 DT B.J. Hill (NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 15 WR Charlie Jones (Groin) - Limited
No. 71 DT Amarius Mims (Ankle) - Limited
No. 98 DT Sheldon Rankins (Illness) - DNP
No. 55 LB Logan Wilson (Knee) - DNP
