In a conference call on Wednesday, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin updated the statuses of four key players.
Safety Ryan Clark will not play because of a blood disorder that becomes dangerous in high altitude.
Linebacker James Harrison, a Pro Bowler in each of the last five years, practiced for the first time in the preseason on Monday. Harrison has been out of action since undergoing knee surgery on Aug. 15th.
“We’re just taking it day by day and his availability is going to be based on how he feels following some cumulative work over the course of the week,” Tomlin said. “I think Monday’s work was a positive day, but we’ll continue to watch and see where it takes us.”
“I’m coming along,” added Harrison in a separate call.
Similar to Harrison, it seems to be a wait-and-see situation for the running back Rashard Mendenhall.
Mendenhall has led the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. The 5th-year back injured his knee in the team’s final regular season game in 2011. On Monday, he hit the practice field for the first time since the injury. Tomlin called Mendenhall’s workout “favorable” and said that “his knee responded positively to the work.”
Wide receiver Mike Wallace was a third Steeler to practice for the first time in 2012 on Monday. As opposed to Harrison and Mendenhall, who are recovering from injuries, Wallace was returning from an offseason holdout. According to Tomlin, the role that Wallace plays on Sunday night will depend on how he does in practice throughout the remainder of the week.
“We’re going to rev up the environment as we prepare and get closer to game action,” Tomlin said. “I think he’ll show us continually over the course of the week his overall readiness.”
As Tomlin will re-evaluate the situations of those three players later in the week, he’s focused now on preparing for a Denver Broncos team that is very different from the one that ended Pittsburgh’s 2011 campaign.
“We acknowledge that they’re different of course, not only with (quarterback) Peyton (Manning) but defensively with (Defensive Coordinator Jack) Coach Del Rio, who is very good at what he does,” Tomlin said. “We better remain focused on the challenges that are in front of us this weekend as opposed to looking back at something that happened months ago.”
Specifically regarding Manning, Tomlin said he and the Steelers are familiar with the four-time NFL MVP after seeing him “in some significant games over the years in Pittsburgh.”
Steelers linebacker James Harrison doesn’t believe that rust will be a factor in Manning’s play.
“Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning,” he said. “He’s doing the same thing now. I see no difference.”
Tomlin also addressed the challenge of facing running back Willis McGahee, who the Steelers have seen plenty of in the recent past. The 10th-year pro and interim team captain spent four years in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens, before joining Denver in 2011.
“McGahee is a stud of a runner,” Tomlin said. “That’s a guy that we’re familiar with and we understand what it means when you have to step in the stadium and play a guy like him. We respect him.”
But even with a proven rushing attack led by a 1,000-yard rusher from 2011, the emphasis for the Steelers defense as they prepare for the Sunday night remains on the quarterback.
“I’m just focusing on what we need to do to get prepared for Peyton,” Tomlin said.
Tags: James Harrison, Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 1
Tomlin is one of my favorite NFL Coaches. He is a stud!
It’s officially Football season! EXCELLENT…
34 – 17 Good guys…
Four more days to make your picks for the season and for the first game… Only two Haters so far (cough, Dy_Nasty and DB!) It’s ok to give them a little static over trying to put the old jinx’o'rama on the Orange and Blue!
I think Peyton will throw for 2 TD’s… One to Decker, and one to Julius Thomas! McGahee gets one, and so does Irving off a Miller Strip Sack… Two Prater Field Goals and that’s about all she wrote. Pitt only scores off a punt return and a short field after getting a field goal early…
Just 4 more days!! BRONCOS 2012!!!!!
Thanks BT – LOL – Hoping to give all the optimist a little head start in the contest is all. No jinx intended at all. (but i can take it….
The Steelers are 1 dimensional, no running game.
Pit has a great coach and QB – They will always be dangerous. Of course, if WolfVonDoom put the Miller on the other Elvis…Big Ben will only be a Has Been!!!
Just love seeing the Cowgirls giving Giants fits….
This is the best Romo has looked in a long while. That Cowboy can play when he isn’t injured. He’s making Eli look like a Rookie.
There Cat – you ought to feel happier. Cowgirls going backwards!!! Looks like a pre-season game!
1st and 30??? They ought to go ahead and kick the field-goal before they get outta range. LOL
or throw another TD…
Eli looked good on that last drive – too little / too late!
13 penalties for 84 yards??? That’s a stat that would make the Raiders proud!!!
Not to worry – Eli will still make the playoffs – and the Cowgirls probably won’t…
Daddy, you talking to yourself?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000058565/article/thirdgrader-told-peyton-manning-jersey-has-gang-ties?module=HP11_headline_stack
Wow !!!
Again!!!
Cat must have had papers to grade tonight (poor kids) LOL! I admit…I was trying to get her to come on and give me some heck.
UGH I HATE THE COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, I might be 0-1 already in my football pool but THIS is the kind of game that you want to see on opening night! Woot! Football is back
Okay, you know what? It feels like it’s been 7 years since 3/19/12 (bestdayever) and I am so mad that I have to wait until SNF.
DB, I wasn’t ignoring you promise. I actually don’t feel very good tonight… tweeting was all I could do during the game.
DB, that article is crazy!!! Why would that happen? It makes NO SENSE! If I was that kids parents, I’d be mad as a hornet. I hope Peyton signs one of his game jerseys and sends it to the kid. LOL
Official prediction. Broncos- 27 Steelers- 24. Peyton gets his first win PIC (post Indianapolis Colts) on a Prater field goal in the 4th quarter. Also predict that Trevathan leads the team in tackles and makes a case for more PT in Game 2. (DJ who?)
No seriously, DJ is very good as a player but the other stuff is getting mighty irritating.
Sorry you’re not feeling well.
Were you able to see the game?
It felt like after the first Qtr. the giants gave up. If it weren’t for Cowboy penalties, that game could have really gotten ugly.
You know me…I could care less about either team – I just love football!!!
DB, that stuff would never happen in Wyoming. I understand what the principal is saying, but it’s ridiculous to think a 3rd grader is wearing a #18 jersey and is a gang member. Peyton should be absolutely offended.
I’d like to find a real kid in a gang that is wearing Bronco orange.
Actually, Peyton doesn’t have to be offended. I’ll be offended FOR HIM! LOL!
DB I did watch the game. The Giants secondary was eaten alive by injuries. It was a bummer to see the 3rd and 4th stringers out there.
Thanks… I’ve literally been shaking all day, I can’t get warm. It’s weird… Hope it doesn’t turn into something bad.
Eli was off for most of the game as well.
Eli played fine. His receivers were off. I mean there were like two passes I’d say weren’t catchable that he threw. I mean I figure that we will be off on Sunday, DB. We’re getting used to each other still, but Cruz had 4 or 5 drops! Plus, the other drops. And what was Coughlin thinking running that much in the first half?
I have done quite a bit with gangs 20 years back…never saw a gang use Bronco colors. I would be surprised to learn that the clean reputation of the Broncos has become attractive to gangs.
Principle #1 – you must establish the run!!! I’ll bet he tells his guys that the reason they lost was because they never were able to establish the run. They sure didn’t look like a SB team tonight.
DB, I don’t think the problem is the Bronco colors, it’s the number 18. But COME ON! I know the rule has been around for three years, but change the rule to say that students can wear a Bronco Peyton Manning jersey. It saves you from a lawsuit and it makes parents happy. I spend $100 on mine and I can’t wait to wear it to school… come on.
No, I understand DB, but the throwing game can also establish the run. And of course they didn’t want to let him throw because the receivers kept dropping passes, but you can’t establish the run by running 1st and 2nd down for no yards and throwing on 3rd down, even if Eli is the best 3rd QB in the NFL according to last years stats.
I hope you get to feeling better. The hardest thing about teaching kids is all the diseases to which you are exposed.
*3rd down
Don’t know – I don’t get the number thing either.
Thanks! I actually think I’m going to head to bed. Sorry I didn’t check in. I would’ve loved to debate with you. See you Sunday afternoon?
ME EITHER! But then if there is a gang in Casper, I don’t know about it.
Although I do remember Romanowski’s jersey and number being used.
Take care…Daddy out as well.
Peyton Manning is just not someone that gang members would try to emulate. It’s ridiculous Romanowski I get.
Night
I can’t type during a Bronco game – I have to teach a class on Sunday afternoon 3:30 – 5:30 / CA time….but I’ll be around after the game.
I hope lots of folks will be wanting to take shots at me then… for my score prediction. LOL
ILMSDB!!!
What a game last night. I was impressed with the Dallas secondary and the way Romo bounced back after throwing that Int.
Never thought if put impressed & Romo in the same sentence…
4 more days (or 3 and a wake up). The wait is becoming painful. Kinda like this rush hour traffic…
Sndvl he did look pretty good. Just goes to show you how tired people get during the first game. I hope JDR has a plan to keep these guys refreshed.
Hate the people on NFL AM because I think we win on Sunday.
How many players for the Giants were knocnked out of the game by the punnishing running of Murrey? That guy knows how to finish a run, reminds me me of the NFL of yesteryear.
Morning TIcat!
The plan is to convert on 3rd downs…and run that no-huddle in the 2nd half. Especially the 4th quarter. Lol
Morning Gang!
ONE DAY CLOSER!
GO BRONCOS!
http://coedmagazine.com/2011/09/29/proposed-nike-pro-combat-nfl-uniforms-photos/#jp-carousel-356928
Could THESE be our unis?? So awesome!!!!!
Hey y’all. Last night was a reminder on why the NFL is the best sport on the planet IMO. From game to game, things can change so dramatically, and more so than in any other sport. Very few people expected Romo and Ogletree to put on a clinic last night, and now people’s perceptions of the Giants is completely different than it was yesterday, and some are even worried.. With each game being so important, it makes for tons of excitement. The Giants do seem to have an ability to get hott at the right time, which is something that we clearly need to work on. Bottom line, it’s going to be a season full of ups and downs, we need to try our best to stay as level headed, and not overreact one way or the other.
Hey OT…….
I can just imagine the NY media if the Jets win after the G-men lose……….lol
Did you know you had a quote in the media guide? Something you said on the blog was printed in it……..AWESOME!