Safety Troy Polamalu, LB James Harrison to return to limited practice, doubtful vs Oakland Raiders – NFL News
The Pittsburgh Steelers expect injured safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker James Harrison return to an informal workout this week but their availability for this Sunday’s game is still doubtful.
James and Troy have missed the initial couple of games of the season with the former recovering from a knee surgery and the latter from an injured calf. They are still to report their fitness hundred percent.
Coach Mike Tomlin meanwhile has refused to speculate a timeline for their comeback, leaving the case for evaluation on individual basis throughout the week to determine if they are fit enough to play this weekend.
Mike said:
"I handle all of those situations really on a case-by-case basis. With the understanding that the younger you are, the more inexperienced you are, the more practices are necessary before I consider utilising you."
Harrison has been taking part in the team’s practice since week the leading up to start of the season. His absence from the opening game came rather as a surprise given the amount of boasts he had thrown about his fitness level and chances of making it to
the season at the outset.
He was equally hopeful for the second game but his comeback in reality is yet to happen and still there is no guarantee if he is going to be included for this weekend’s game. He himself nevertheless is as much confident of playing this Sunday as he was before
the first game of the season.
James’ return along with Polamalu will give a major boost to the Steelers at a time when they are also expecting running back Rashard Mendenhall for the next game. The situation around return prospects of both players is likely to be clearer by Friday depending
if they are able to make to the limited practice session on the day.
The Steelers (1-1) are playing the Oakland Raiders this Sunday with an aim of win which if happens should further consolidate their position in the teams’ standings in American Football Conference (AFC) North division. A win might also put them in lead if
their other rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, lose their respective games. They have won one game each.
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