Steelers’ Mike Tomlin expects ‘a full stable at our disposal,’ injury-free team for finale vs. Bengals

The reward for playing three games over an 11-day span was a nine-day break for the Pittsburgh Steelers before their regular-season finale.

In regards to the health of a roster that had been pockmarked by a growing number of injuries in recent weeks, that time to rest is proving valuable.

“From a health standpoint, it looks like we’re moving in the right direction,” Tomlin said during his weekly news conference Monday, “which is a good thing.”

The only players Tomlin said might be affected by injury during the practice week leading into Saturday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals were running back Jaylen Warren and defensive back Cory Trice.

And Tomlin couldn’t even identify exactly what was ailing those two.

“Just in-game wear and tear, bumps and bruises associated with play that may limit them at the early portions of the week,” Tomlin said, “but not going to be significant in terms of their (game) availability.”

The Steelers, per Tomlin, will welcome starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and reserve receiver Ben Skowronek back into the lineup against the Bengals after each missed last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs because of respective knee and hip injuries.

Cornerback Donte Jackson, receiver George Pickens, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and safety DeShon Elliott played against the Chiefs after missing varying degrees of game action.

“Getting a healthy outfit, particularly as you get toward the end of this season and lean in on a single-elimination tournament, is big business for us,” Tomlin said. “We’re excited about the issues of dividing the labor up and having really a full stable at our disposal in the effort to formulate plans and make plays. It’s going to be needed, quite honestly, because Cincinnati is red hot.”

The Bengals have won four consecutive games. The Steelers carry a three-game losing streak into Saturday’s meeting.