The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to stay in-house while finding replacements for injured inside linebacker Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander, coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference.
Holcomb was placed on injured reserve last week with a knee injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Alexander is a candidate to join him after sustaining a season-ending Achilles injury Sunday in the Steelers’ 23-19 victory at Green Bay.
“We’re not looking outside the organization, to be quite honest with you, as I stand here right now, in terms of solutions regarding those issues,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers (6-3) face the Cleveland Browns (6-3) on Sunday in Cleveland. The winner could move into first place in the AFC North.
Entering Tuesday, veteran Elandon Roberts and second-year player Mark Robinson were the only inside linebackers on the 53-man roster.
The Steelers have experienced linebackers on the practice squad in Tariq Carpenter and Mykal Walker. Carpenter was promoted for the game against Green Bay and contributed on special teams. Walker joined the Steelers on Oct. 29.
“Some practice squad guys are there not because they are developmental players,” Tomlin said. “They are there because they are capable players. They are just readying themselves for an opportunity.”
Given Walker’s experience with Atlanta — he had 107 tackles for the Falcons last season — he is expected to be signed to the 53-man roster.
“He’s not on our practice squad for development,” Tomlin said. “He’s on our practice squad to learn what to do and to position and ready himself for a moment like what is going to transpire this weekend.”
Tomlin might get several of his injured players back for the game against the Browns, the first of two against division rivals that will be played in Ohio.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth is eligible to be activated from injured reserve after missing the past five games. Freiermuth can’t begin practicing until he is designated to return, a process that could begin Wednesday.
“We’ll watch him go through the week and look at the quality of his work, the amount of it and how he feels,” Tomlin said. “I feel good about his potential availability.”
Strong safety Keanu Neal, who didn’t play the final defensive series because of a rib injury, also will be evaluated during the week as well as nose tackle Montravius Adams (ankle).
Tomlin sounded encouraged about the return of free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring), saying he is “battling to come back to us.” Fitzpatrick has missed back-to-back games.
