Mike Tomlin addresses the next man up at wide receiver

At his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the different personnel moves that were made earlier in the day. In ruling James Conner out for this Sunday, the team promoted running back Trey Edmunds from the practice squad and placed Justin Hunter on injured reserve.

When Coach Tomlin was asked if Eli Rogers was a possibility to return with Hunter going on the IR, he initially asked if anyone had tweeted about it, making light of the situation when Ola Adeniyi tweeted about his return to practice. Rather then address the issue of Rogers, Tomlin went on to speak of James Washington and the chance he will be given to re-emerge as the Steelers’ third wide receiver..

“It’s also an opportunity for things to boomerang back around for James Washington and I’m kinda excited about that to be quite honest with you. Such is life in this game at this level.”

Coach Tomlin went on to describe what needs to take place for Washington to get back on the moving train that is the NFL.

“You know sometimes you get knocked down. You’ve got to get in the lab and work. And, often times, it’s done in obscurity, if you will, and you wait for your opportunity to get back on and to ride again and to show what you’re are capable of.”

Tomlin continued to express his excitement to see how James Washington responds after another stent of being inactive.

“Not a lot of time on the shelf for James and so it’s going to be exciting to watch him get back on this week and take advantage of someone else’s misfortune and be a positive contributor efforts. Excited about the potential inclusion of him again as well.”

The Steelers are hopeful Ryan Switzer will be ready to play on Sunday, as he is currently in the concussion protocol. If he is unable to go, the Steelers will be left with only four healthy wide receivers-Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith–Schuster, James Washington, and Darius Heyward–Bey- unless a roster move is made.