It was just two weeks ago when the Pittsburgh Steelers walked off a field which resembled a snow globe and the Cleveland Browns celebrated doing snow angels on the field. The prime time loss on Thursday Night Football stuck with the Steelers, and will bleed into their preparation for the two teams to meet for the second time this season in Week 14 at Acrisure Stadium.

The Steelers, coming off a 44-38 win on the road vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, will need all hands on deck to beat the Browns, coming off a 41-32 Monday Night Football loss to the Denver Broncos, as the two teams square off for the second and final time of the 2024 season. The Browns, who played in Denver on Monday night, will be on a short week, while the Steelers will benefit from playing at home with a regular week of preparation at their disposal.

Pittsburgh is also hopeful they’ll be getting some players back to them in one way or another heading into the game Sunday, and that’s something Mike Tomlin addressed Tuesday when he met with the media for his weekly press conference.

The biggest name of note which has been on the fan base’s radar for the past three weeks has been Alex Highsmith. Highsmith’s ankle injury saw him return to practice last week, but his Doubtful status resulted in him being inactive in Cincinnati. Tomlin said Tuesday he fully expects Highsmith available this week, and it would be the first time in a very long time the Steelers defense will have their full allotment of pass rushers at their disposal this season.

Other players mentioned were two who are in the 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve (IR). Cornerback Cory Trice (hamstring) and Montravius Adams (knee) could position themselves to re-join the team this week. The difference between Trice and Adams, outside of their two different injuries, is how Trice is in the final week of his window while Adams is entering his second. If the Steelers don’t promote Trice to the 53-man roster this week he will go on season-ending IR.

The only in-game injury vs. the Bengals was to wide receiver Calvin Austin III. After the game Tomlin said he was being evaluated for a head injury, and Tuesday Tomlin said Austin is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. In regards to his return, Tomlin added he will follow the medical experts regarding where Austin is and the process and what his participation might be.

When asked about the revenge aspect of the game, especially since the Steelers just faced the Browns in Week 12, Tomlin said they are always prepared to play all their AFC North rivals twice a season, at a minimum, and said those thoughts wouldn’t play a role in their preparation leading into Sunday’s game.

Tomlin, as always, walked the tight rope of giving kudos to the Browns players on both sides of the ball, while still motivating his team to get them ready for what is hopefully their second straight win, and their third AFC North divisional win of the season.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Browns in Week 14.