Steelers Injury Report: Only one player named as team prepares for meaningless game

After the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 at Heinz Field, they clinched the AFC North championship, as well as the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. When all that transpired, it made their Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns completely meaningless.

The talk among experts and the Steelers’ global fan base has been about exactly who will get rest in Week 17 and who will still suit up against the Browns.

When Mike Tomlin met the media for his Tuesday press conference, he talked about plenty of injuries, but only one new name was mentioned. That name is none other than safety Robert Golden, who suffered an ankle injury during the Week 16 game. Tomlin, as he often does, stated his availability will be predicated on his practice participation.

Other updates on injuries to Stephon Tuitt (knee), Ladarius Green (concussion) and Sammie Coates (hamstring), but the updates were all quite vague. Tuitt is continuing to rehabilitate his knee, Green is still working through the NFL concussion protocol, and Tomlin was encouraged by how Coates pushed himself close to being able to being active on Sunday’s game against Baltimore.

The Steelers are very fortunate they have a pseudo-bye coming up when the Browns come to Heinz Field, as it gives them the opportunity to rest more than just Tuitt, Green and Coates, but also players like Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Maurkice Pouncey and even Ryan Shazier.

Stay tuned to BTSC for all the latest on the Steelers as they prepare for their regular-season finale on Sunday at the big ketchup bottle.