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His return lasted one quarter. Or not even that.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu re-injured his right calf in the first quarter of Pittsburgh's Week 5 win over Philadelphia - the same injury that kept him out of the Steelers' Week 2 and 3 games. And it will keep him out of the Steelers' Week 6 game Thursday night at Tennessee.
He was in coverage on the play, and was walking back to the huddle when he suddenly began limping severely. He went off the field and did not return.
Safety Ryan Mundy saw extensive action in his fourth straight game, having replaced Ryan Clark in the opener, and Polamalu in each of the last three games. Mundy missed a tackle on Eagles running back LeSean McCoy's touchdown run, and drew a personal foul penalty on a hit to the helmet of Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
Mundy will almost certainly draw a fine for the hit.
He also drew closer his competition for playing time, veteran safety Will Allen. Tomlin mentioned in his press conference Allen could see time Thursday, and he is "comfortable with playing either" Mundy or Allen.
Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley had a hamstring injury during the second quarter, and also did not return. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Woodley is doubtful to play Sunday.
Given the nature of the injury and the short week in which to heal as well as prepare, Woodley being listed as doubtful is much closer to not playing than to playing. Woodley missed almost the entire second half of the 2011 season with a lingering hamstring injury.