The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off an extended break after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 on Christmas day, their third straight loss. The NFL has decided the Steelers will play the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18 on Saturday night at 8pm EST. Coming off an extended break, it’s important to take a look at the health of the team as they prepare for the regular season finale.

Monday, instead of his usual Tuesday day/time, Mike Tomlin met with media for his weekly press conference, and Tomlin was able to update those players who might be dealing with some sort of injury at this stage of the regular season.

Prior to the Christmas game vs. the Chiefs at home the Steelers saw DeShon Elliott (hamstring), George Pickens (hamstring) and Donte Jackson (back) all return to the lineup. Tomlin was upbeat and positive about those individuals not seeing any type of setback from their respective injuries.

Players who missed the game Wednesday were Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and Ben Skowronek (hip), and Tomlin said these two players are targeting a return in Week 18. They both should begin their process of returning this week and be working their way back before the Week 18 game.

Before turning the press conference over to the question and answer part of the press conference Tomlin added two players could be limited in practice this week, but did add he expects them to be available. Those players were Cory Trice and Jaylen Warren.

Tomlin didn’t specify the injuries to these two players, but was asked for more specifics later in the press conference. Tomlin again refused to be specific, calling them bumps and bruises associated with play and adding they won’t be held out for those injuries.

The Steelers coach was also asked about Justin Fields and his availability, and Tomlin said he should be worked back into the mix as the QB2 role prior to Week 18.

In all, Tomlin reiterated how he feels the long week has benefited the team, a break they treated as a traditional bye week. So, despite the three straight losses and three games in 11 days, the break before the regular season finale and the postseason hopefully will benefit the team down the stretch.

The next question, which has been on the minds of many fans, is if the Steelers will plan on resting players Saturday night? If the Ravens beat the Browns, who play earlier than them on Saturday, the Steelers wouldn’t have a shot at winning the division, but would be playing for one of the three Wild Card spots. Tomlin said he hasn’t pondered that at this juncture, but did add he feels it is significant how the team is playing enter the playoffs. In other words, if resting players equated in heading into the playoffs with four straight losses, it wouldn’t be worth it.

It’s also important to note while the Steelers could be without a chance of winning the division when they kickoff Saturday night, the team absolutely still has something to play for. If the Ravens win and the Steelers win, they’ll be heading to Houston in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. [For the complete Steelers playoff matchup scenarios, click HERE.] When you look at the Steelers current situation, you’ll see the team can’t point at injuries for the reason for any potential failures.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Week 18 game vs. the Bengals and the postseason.