The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off one of their worst weeks in recent memory, losing back-to-back games to two win teams. First, it was the home loss to the Arizona Cardinals in a rain soaked affair in Week 13, then a Thursday Night Football game to forget with the New England Patriots beating the Steelers 21-18.

These losses has dropped the Steelers’ record to 7-6, but somehow the team is still in the mix for a playoff berth, not that anyone is thinking that way right now. A huge barrier for the team moving forward is the health of the team. Following Thursday night’s game, the team, mainly the defense, has been decimated by the injury bug. As you can imagine, when Mike Tomlin spoke to the media Monday in preparation for Saturday’s contest against the Colts in Indianapolis, players who were dealing with injury was a big topic of discussion.

There is no position which was hit harder after Week 14 than the outside linebacker position. Both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. They both remain in the protocol, and Tomlin said he will rely on medical experts as it pertains to their availability. There will be no information until he hears any of them are able to return to practice, even in a limited capacity.

Other than Watt and Highsmith, Tomlin spoke about how the extended break coming off Thursday Night Football absolutely has helped with some of the nagging injuries the team has had over the past few weeks. One of the players who would fall into this category would be inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. Roberts was able to participate vs. the Patriots and the groin injury he suffered which had him questionable before Week 14 should be “less of an issue” in Week 15, as Tomlin put it.

Tomlin also added how James Pierre (shoulder) will have an opportunity to play, and two players who played vs. New England but were banged up leading up to the game. Those two players were Isaac Seumalo (shoulder) and Najee Harris (knee), and Tomlin said both will have more extended preparation after the extended break following TNF to be prepared for the game in Indianapolis.

As expected, Tomlin also ruled out Kenny Pickett (ankle) and added Mitch Trubisky will be the starting quarterback for the team moving forward.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Colts this Saturday in Week 15 of regular season action.