The Steelers began their preparation for Saturday’s Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens, working inside the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to kick off the week.
Guard Mason McCormick, the rookie fourth-round pick, was limited in practice after suffering a broken hand in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. McCormick appeared in all 17 regular season games, starting 14 of them at right guard.
“He will be sized for a cast and/or brace and checked for functionality,” trainer Mike Tomlin said. “And so his participation, and the quality of his participation, will be somewhat of an indication of his potential availability as we move forward.”
McCormick looked optimistic after Tuesday’s practice about the play.
“I’m definitely optimistic,” McCormick said. “It’s already a lot better.”
Cornerback Donte Jackson, who missed the Bengals game with a back issue that hampered him down the stretch, is expected to play Saturday, but they will keep an eye on him.
“Donte Jackson was held out last week because of ongoing back issues,” Tomlin said. “He’s feeling good. But again, we’ll monitor him throughout the week and see what his participation does in terms of the possibility of his inclusion.
“And then there are other bumps and bruises associated with the game that may affect some people early in the week. But I don’t think that will be a major factor when it comes to dividing the work and determining who plays and who doesn’t at the end of the week.
With Jackson missing the Bengals game, second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. got the start and Tomlin liked the experience he got from it.
“I thought he did some great things,” Tomlin said. “Cory is a hard-working guy. He doesn’t have a lot of experience. It was very good experience for him, and it’s reasonable to expect him to build on that.”
Cameron Heyward missed Tuesday’s practice as he is battling an illness.
Offensive tackle Calvin Anderson returned to practice Tuesday, but remains on the reserve/injured list.
Anderson, who was signed by the Steelers in September, was placed on the reserve/injured list on December 14. The Steelers have a 21-day window to activate him or he remains on the reserve/injured list for the remainder of the playoffs. .
Anderson, who was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent after the 2019 NFL Draft, has appeared in 46 career games, winning 14. He spent time with the Patriots and the New York Jets, before being signed with the Denver Broncos. Squad of 53 players in 2019.
Anderson played in all 16 games in 2020 for the Broncos, starting one at right tackle and one at left tackle. He appeared in 11 games in 2021, including three starts, all at left tackle. In 2022, he played in 14 games, starting seven at left tackle for Denver, and allowed just two sacks, with no pending calls.
Anderson signed with the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent before the 2023 season. He played in five games, starting two, in 2023 before being placed on the reserve/injured list where he finished the season.
The full injury report is below.
