In his first press conference following the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 bye week, Mike Tomlin offered an injury update ahead of the team\u2019s Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns. Speaking to reporters during his usual Tuesday noon update, Tomlin offered an encouraging update about the health of the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a health standpoint, feel really encouraged about the return of some people who have been out,\u201d Tomlin said via the team\u2019s YouTube channel.<\/a> \u201cGuys like Alex Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr., for example, worked yesterday during our bonus day. The arrow is pointed up on their participation. The same could be said for Jaylen Warren. Obviously, he missed the last game, but he looked really good yesterday. Excited about those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n Thanks to the bye, the Steelers got healthier in key areas. Porter is expected to return after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury. Highsmith is likely to join him<\/a> after suffering a high-ankle sprain early in the Steelers\u2019 Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. And Warren should return after sitting out Week 4 with a knee injury. All boosts to the Steelers, especially a defense that struggled to be healthy during the first month of the season.<\/p>\n Tomlin left the door open for two Steelers injured during the Vikings game in WR Calvin Austin III and CB Jalen Ramsey, though was less optimistic overall.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo guys we\u2019re watching very closely that will certainly be limited at the front part of the week but may perk up and be included toward the latter part of the week is Calvin Austin with his shoulder and Jalen Ramsey with his hamstring,\u201d Tomlin said. \u201cBoth have been highly aggressive from a rehabilitation standpoint during the bye week and really encouraged about the potential of those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, it\u2019s doubtful the team will be at full health for its first AFC North game of the season. Ramsey tried but was unable to gut out a hamstring injury during the Vikings game. Typically multi-week injuries, the bye week alone may not be enough time for him to be cleared. A reported negative X-ray offered Austin good news, but his shoulder injury leaves his status questionable for Week 6. Yesterday, the Steelers reportedly signed Raheem Blackshear<\/a> to their practice squad, a running back with a deep kick- and punt-return background. He could be used to fill Austin\u2019s role on punts.<\/p>\n Still, the fact Tomlin opted against ruling both out and is entertaining the possibility of them playing against the Browns is a positive sign.<\/p>\n