Steelers Connection: Why Pittsburgh should be smart about injured players returning too soon

The injury report for the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the bye week was quite extensive. Big name players all missing big time games due to nagging injuries which left the lineup decimated, left only to rely on the “next man up” philosophy. That can work every now and then, but it can’t beat a team like the New England Patriots.

So, the Steelers now are coming off their bye week and some of those big named players are potentially ready to return to the fold for the Week 9 tilt against AFC North foe Baltimore Ravens.

Players like: Ben Roethlisberger (knee), Cameron Heyward (hamstring), Marcus Gilbert (foot) and even players like Ryan Shazier (knee) and Mike Mitchell (knee) who were playing injured before the bye week.

It is easy for fans to see the list of players and immediately think now is the time for them to return. After all, this is a “must-win” game for the black and gold!

In the latest episode of the Steelers Connection, I talk about why the Steelers might be smart proceeding with caution, rather than getting too excited only to have the rug swept out from under them in a few short days.

I go into details about why this game on Sunday against Baltimore isn’t a “must-win” game, how the team needs to think about the big picture of it being just Week 9 and ultimately the schedule and how things could pan out after the game at M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday.

Take a listen to the short podcast in the player above to hear more about this topic.

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