Bye week gives Steelers’ Reed time to rest, heal groin

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steelers kicker Jeff Reed probably won’t miss any games because of a groin injury he sustained in a win over Jacksonville on Sunday night.

Pittsburgh (4-1) is off this week, and Reed said Tuesday he should be fine for the Oct. 19 game at Cincinnati.

Reed could have attempted a field goal during the Steelers’ final possession if necessary, coach Mike Tomlin said.

The Steelers, trailing 21-20, scored on Ben Roethlisberger’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward with 1:53 remaining for a 26-21 victory. If the drive had stalled, Reed might have been needed to attempt a potential go-ahead field goal.

“I don’t know how far [Reed could have kicked] and thankfully we didn’t have to find out,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “He had a kick in him if we needed it. The outer limits of his range remained a question.”

Reed is 9-for-9 on field goals this season.

Reed was hurt during the first half, although he kicked off to begin the second half. Punter Mitch Berger kicked off after that, and he also might be needed to kick off at Cincinnati. Tomlin said that won’t be decided until practice next week.