The Pittsburgh Steelers are catching fire after winning their fourth straight game dating back before the bye week, and they are hoping the buck doesn't stop here. In Week 11, Mike Tomlin's team has a pivotal AFC North matchup against the Baltimore Ravens -- Pittsburgh's first divisional game of the year.
The winner of this contest will claim pole positioning in an AFC North battle that could come down to the wire. Fortunately, the Steelers won't be empty-handed.
While Alex Highsmith is set to miss 2-3 weeks with an ankle injury, Pittsburgh will soon be getting back a talented player in the secondary, while offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has a few tricks up his sleeve. Here's the latest Steelers news.
Cory Trice Jr. designated to return from IR
On November 14, the Pittsburgh Steelers opened up the 21-day practice window for Cory Trice Jr. The second-year landed on IR in Week 3 after pulling up lame with a hamstring injury while chasing down a punt on special teams.
This doesn't guarantee that Trice will be ready to go against the Ravens on Sunday, but his participation at practice was a step in the right direction.
Cory Trice is back pic.twitter.com/BM0SFEl0EZ
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 14, 2024
Donte Jackson and Cory Trice Jr. back at practice today for the Steelers cornerback unit. Najee Harris (ankle) looking like his normal self too. pic.twitter.com/D3OTGPd86y
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) November 14, 2024
Trice now has less than three weeks to be placed on the Steelers' active roster or risk landing on season-ending IR. Assuming he avoids any setbacks with the hamstring, we expected to see him put on the pads as early as this Sunday.
Arthur Smith teases package for Justin Fields
Pittsburgh's offense has been thriving with quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm, but Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith hasn't forgotten about Justin Fields.
"We've had a package every week," Smith said, via Ray Fittipaldo. "It goes back to the flow of the game. It will be ready to go when we need it. Maybe it will be this Sunday. Maybe it will be next Sunday."
Before being replaced by Wilson, Fields combined for 10 total touchdowns and 1 interception. Fields' rushing ability near the goal line is particularly intriguing and his ability to punch the ball in with his legs creates a nightmare scenario for opposing defenses to game plan against. It's still unclear as to when we could see Fields get a package on Pittsburgh's offense.
Pete Prisco predicts Steelers to upset Ravens in Week 11
Though oddsmakers favor the Ravens over the Steelers in Week 11, there are NFL analysts who aren't shying away from picking Pittsburgh at home this week. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports recently gave his Week 11 predictions. Prisco has the Steelers winning a 30-27 contest at Acrisure Stadium.
Prisco noted the implications riding on this game, but he believes Pittsburgh's defense will do just enough to contain quarterback Lamar Jackson to get the job done. Prisco also predicts the Browns beating the Saints and the Bengals falling to the Chargers this week.