The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to try and move their winning streak to three games vs. the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 8, and they are going to be doing so with Russell Wilson now the official starter of the team moving forward. While Mike Tomin fielded many questions about the quarterback situation and made the Giants defense sound like the ’85 Chicago Bears, possibly the most important aspects of the press conference were based on injuries.

During this aspect of his press conference Tomlin spoke about the two players who left the game vs. the Jets and were unable to return.

Montravius Adams injured his knee on Sunday night and was ruled out of the game after he tried to return. Tomlin said he has been ruled OUT this week, and added he wasn’t sure how long he would be on the shelf. With injuries like this the Steelers view players as potential Injured Reserve (IR) candidates to free up a roster spot for a healthy player. Don’t be shocked if that’s the case with Adams, and it would mean he would miss four games, not four weeks, before he could return.

The other in-game injury vs. the Jets was Donte Jackson with a shoulder injury. Tomlin described the injury as minor, but added it could impact his participation early in the week. Before moving on to the next player, Tomlin added it shouldn’t limit his game availability.

Two players who missed last week’s game, but could be back in Week 8 are Damontae Kazee (ankle) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle). Kazee was working his way back last week before a setback had him downgraded on Saturday. Tomlin said he should have no restrictions with him this week as they prepare for the Giants. Patterson, who has missed the past three games, is looking to finally return to practice and start the process of working his way back. If recent history has given us a guide as to how the team will handle a player like Patterson working his way back, it would be he gets back to practicing on a limited basis before being cleared to play.

The Steelers head coach stated both Nick Herbig (hamstring) and Zach Frazier (ankle) are both OUT this week with their respective injuries, and are now looking at Week 10, after the Week 9 bye, for a chance to get back to the practice field.

Tomlin also went out of his way to mention Tyler Matakevich, who landed on IR with a hamstring injury, is now able to return to the team and have his 21-day window started for him to come off IR. Tomlin didn’t mention his name, but wide receiver Ben Skowronek is also able to return from IR (shoulder) at any point now if he is deemed healthy.

As a reminder, offensive tackle Dylan Cook (foot) returned to practice last week, and is still in his 21-day window to return to the team. If he has a full week of practice he could see him elevated to the active roster as the primary backup at both tackle positions if needed. If 21 days come and go and Cook isn’t activated, it would equate to him being placed on season-ending IR.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 8 at Acrisure Stadium.