Steelers Injury Report: David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert and Morgan Burnett all might play against Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without a trio of starters on Monday night, but it appears there is a chance some of them could return in Week 4. When speaking with reporters during his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Mike Tomlin seemed optimistic he might get some of his players back in time to take on the Baltimore Ravens.

“A number of the guys that missed time last week because of injury, Morgan Burnett, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, all have a legitimate chance to participate in this game, and as we always do, their practice participation will be our guide in terms of their availability.”

Before you break out your David DeCastro jersey in readiness for next Sunday, it is perhaps worth noting that this is generally Tomlin’s stock answer when discussing those carrying long-term injuries. With Marcus Gilbert suffering from a hamstring injury, it is anyone’s guess how long he will be out and he has not always been the fastest healer in the past.

Similarly for Morgan Burnett, a groin injury can take a while to recover from and it is far to early to assume he will play against the Ravens. DeCastro looks equally doubtful given he has missed virtually all of practice for the last two weeks, but that doesn’t we can’t try to live in hopes rather than our fears.

Mike Hilton was the only notable injury from Monday night and Tomlin had little to share about his status other than he was currently being evaluated for an elbow injury. However, Hilton seemed relatively unconcerned when talking to reporters after the game, there is a reasonable chance he will be forced to sit Sunday if it is as “significant” as first thought.

As more news becomes available about the Steelers’ nickel cornerback, we will be sure to update this post.