Short-handed Steelers healthier

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Maurkice Pouncey is expected to return to the Steelers’ lineup on Sunday, and Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman might do the same.

Pouncey, an All-Pro center, will practice today after missing the game in Cincinnati Sunday due to a right knee sprain. Mendenhall (Achilles) and Redman (ankle), who top the running back depth chart, “have a chance” of playing as well, Sunday, coach Mike Tomlin said.

The news is not all good though, as Pittsburgh (3-3) prepares to host the Washington Redskins (3-4). All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu and starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert have already been ruled out.

The Steelers moved into second place in the AFC North with a 24-17 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

The players most impacted by these returnees might be on special teams. Beleaguered and penalty-ridden, these units have become a chief concern for Tomlin. The coach even threatened benchings in the return game, where five flags were thrown in the Steelers’ 10 return opportunities vs. Cincinnati.

“The multiple offenders, the egregious offenders, are going to be watching instead of playing as soon as we get some options,” Tomlin said. “Right now, with the injuries, we have minimal options.”

Safety Will Allen will be limited early this week after leaving the Bengals game due to a sprained ankle. Allen has started in place of Polamalu the past two weeks, and Tomlin said he anticipates him being able to play against Washington.

If some or all of the injured group — Pouncey, Mendenhall, Redman and reserve linebacker Chris Carter — return, it’ll create a domino effect in which Tomlin has the freedom to pick and choose players to sit. Carter missed the Cincinnati game with a hamstring injury.

“We believe we have some dynamic return men, and penalties negate that effort,” Tomlin said. “What’s going on in the return game from a penalty standpoint is disturbing. The first chance we get, we’ll send a strong message in regards that we won’t accept that type of performance.

“We feel like we can be explosive in that area provided we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot, and I thought we did that in the football game (Sunday).”

Tomlin did not mention names when talking about possible benchings.