The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 at Acrisure Stadium, and it is the first divisional game for the Steelers on their 2024 regular season schedule. Steelers fans know all too well what Steelers vs. Ravens means, in terms of the rivalry, but it also is an all-hands-on-deck game. Unfortunately, the Steelers suffered some key injuries during their 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 10.

Tuesday Mike Tomlin met with the media, and during the press conference he updated the injury status of several key players who could be missing the upcoming divisional grudge match in Pittsburgh.

The biggest injury of note was outside linebacker Alex Highsmith who Tomlin said has been rule OUT this week with his ankle injury. However, Tomlin added they will take it week-to-week. The Steelers head coach also added he is excited to get Highsmith back as soon as possible. Never did Tomlin say Highsmith will miss an extended period of time, and it seems like the 2-3 game absence which was initially reported Monday could be accurate.

The other player who was injured and not able to return to the game was cornerback Donte Jackson. Jackson suffered a hamstring, and Tomlin said he spoke to Jackson before the press conference and said the cornerback is “feeling good”. Tomlin pumped the brakes on his inevitable return, and considered him day-by-day. Jackson was labeled as possibly being limited early in the week, but the coaching staff doesn’t have any concern about him not participating and a lack of availability in Week 11.

Other players were banged up during the game, but were able to return could see their practice participation limited early in the week, but not necessarily their availability vs. the Ravens Sunday. Najee Harris and Broderick Jones both had ankle injuries during the game and returned, and Tomlin said he is comfortable they’ll be included in the latter part of the week and have them ready for action.

Tomlin mentioned Calvin Austin III in the question and answer portion of the press conference, and he said Austin would be lumped into the players who might be limited early in the week. He didn’t say Austin was in the concussion protocol, this after the receiver was pulled off the field for a concussion check and didn’t return. It was while Austin was out that Mike Williams was inserted into the lineup and had the game-winning catch.

The Steelers could have help coming their way Sunday, and there were two players who were listed as potentially returning to the lineup. For the second straight week cornerback Cory Trice, who is on Injured Reserve (IR) with a hamstring injury, could potentially get “back on the moving train” and return to practice.

On top of Trice’s potential return, Tomlin said the Steeler are comfortable to get Nick Herbig, who is dealing with his own hamstring injury, back this week. Tomlin admitted Herbig was at “the door step” a week ago, but was held out for precautionary reasons. The addition of Herbig along with Preston Smith being added at the trade deadline will ease the burden of losing Highsmith for any duration of time.

Outside of injuries, the Steelers made a practice squad move just before the start of Tomlin’s weekly press conference. The team has released OL John Leglue and WR Lance McCutcheon from the practice squad and signed WR Jamal Agnew and RB Jonathan Ward to the team’s practice squad.

This from the Steelers official Twitter/X Account:

We have signed WR Jamal Agnew and RB Jonathan Ward to the Practice Squad and released OT John Leglue and WR Lance McCutcheon from the Practice Squad. @BordasLaw https://t.co/LcHpZ1FAQU

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 12, 2024

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Ravens this Sunday at 1pm EST in Pittsburgh.