The Steelers began their preparation for Saturday's Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens, working inside at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to kick off the week.
Guard Mason McCormick, the rookie fourth round pick, was limited in practice after he suffered a broken hand in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. McCormick has appeared in all 17 regular season games, starting 14 of them at right guard.
"He'll be sized for a cast and or a brace and check functionality there," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "And so, his participation, and the quality of his participation, will kind of be an indication of his potential availability as we push forward."
McCormick sounded optimistic after practice on Tuesday about playing.
"I'm definitely optimistic," said McCormick. "It's feeling a lot better already."
Cornerback Donte Jackson, who missed the Bengals game with a back issue that has hampered him down the stretch, is expected to play on Saturday but they will keep an eye on him.
"Donte Jackson was held out last week with ongoing back issues," said Tomlin. "He feels good. But again, we'll watch him throughout the course of the week and see what his participation does in terms of the possibility of his inclusion.
"And then there's some other bumps and bruises associated with play that may affect some people in the early portions of the week. But I don't think it will be a major factor when it comes to dividing the labor up and determining who plays and who doesn't at the latter part of the week."
With Jackson missing the Bengals game, second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. got the start and Tomlin liked the experience he got from it.
"I thought largely he did some nice things," said Tomlin. "Cory is a hard-working guy. He doesn't have a lot of experience. It was really good experience for him, and it's reasonable to expect him to build upon that."
Cameron Heyward missed practice on Tuesday as he is battling an illness.
Offensive tackle Calvin Anderson returned to practice on Tuesday, but remains on the Reserve/Injured List.
Anderson, who was signed by the Steelers in September, was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Dec. 14. The Steelers have a 21-day window to activate him or he remains on the Reserve/Injured List for the remainder of the postseason.
Anderson, who was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft, has appeared in 46 career games, starting 14. He spent time with the Patriots and New York Jets, before being signed to the Denver Broncos 53-man roster in 2019.
Anderson played in all 16 games in 2020 for the Broncos, starting one at right tackle and one at left tackle. He appeared in 11 games in 2021, starting three, all at left tackle. In 2022, he played in 14 games, starting seven at left tackle for Denver, and allowed just two sacks, with no holding calls.
Anderson signed with the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2023 season. He appeared in five games, starting two, in 2023 before being placed on the Reserve/Injured List where he finished out the season.
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Wild Card Week
Tuesday, January 7
* No. 10 WR Roman Wilson (Hamstring) - Full
No. 26 CB Donte Jackson (Back) - Full
** No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Knee) - Full
* No. 61 DT Logan Lee (Calf) - Full
No. 66 G Mason McCormick (Hand) - Limited
* No. 67 OL Calvin Anderson (Groin) - Full
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (Illness) - DNP
* In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/PUP List
Baltimore Ravens Participation/Injury Report, Wild Card Week
Tuesday, January 7
No. 4 WR Zay Flowers (Knee) - DNP
No. 14 S Kyle Hamilton (Knee) - Limited
* No. 3 WR/RS Deonte Harty (Knee) - Full
No. 43 RB Justice Hill (Concussion/Illness) - Limited
* Injured Reserve/Designated Return to Practice
