Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did not have an update on injured linebacker Ryan Shazier on Tuesday afternoon at his weekly news conference, but he did say several other players that missed the season-opening victory in Washington might be ready to play this week against Cincinnati.
Shazier injured his right knee in the fourth quarter and did not return in the 38-16 victory. He said afterward he was removed for precautionary reasons and pronounced himself fine.
Tomlin said Shazier was being evaluated by a team doctor Tuesday.
"He felt good about his circumstance after the game, but we'll let the medical experts determine that and react accordingly," Tomlin said.
Tomlin said receiver Markus Wheaton (shoulder), fullback Roosevelt Nix (back) and offensive lineman Cody Wallace (knee) have a "significant" chance of playing against the Bengals. All three missed the Redskins game.
The Steelers and Bengals are 1-0 entering Sunday's game at Heinz Field. The Bengals opened the season with a victory at the New York Jets.
The previous time these two teams met in the playoffs the Steelers won, 18-16, in Cincinnati after kicking the winning field goal in the final minute of regulation.
The series last season was marked by personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams in all three meetings. The Bengals will be without Vontaze Burfict, the linebacker who was suspended for the first three games of the season due to his behavior last season.
The Steelers will be without Le'Veon Bell, whom Burfict injured in a Nov. 1 game at Heinz Field last season. Bell is suspended for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
Plenty of other players in this emotionally-charged rivalry will be available and Tomlin doesn't plan to stifle his players in the lead-up to the game.
"Largely, our guys handle themselves appropriately and don't let themselves get consumed by it," Tomlin said. "I don't anticipate that changing this time around. We realize to win the game you can't beat yourself. I don't need to wait until a game like this, where the emotions run high, to express that thought. It's just part of our every-day business."
The Steelers and Bengals will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday.
