Steelers face injury concerns

PITTSBURGH (AP) ― The Steelers’ injury-riddled linebacker corps already has forced coach Mike Tomlin to get creative.

Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons has moved outside. Young players like rookie Chris Carter and second-year man Stevenson Sylvester have been pushed into more prominent roles.

And there’s a good chance Tomlin will need another brainstorming session.

The coach said Tuesday he’s not ruling out any options, but the answers likely will come from his current roster, as the Steelers prepare for Sunday’s AFC North rematch against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I’m just saying that at this juncture, we’re open to all potential possibilities in terms of dealing with our situation,” he said, “but we’re not going to go grasping at straws outside of our building in terms of addressing it.”

Three regulars are nursing injuries. James Harrison, who has missed the last four games with an orbital bone fracture, has been cleared to practice. But the 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year posted on his Twitter account Monday it looked like he won’t play vs. the Ravens (5-2). LaMarr Woodley, who left Pittsburgh’s win over the New England Patriots in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, sounded a little more optimistic about his status in a video message linked from his Twitter account.

“Everyone’s counting me out,” Woodley said. “Don’t count me out yet.”

Tomlin said Woodley’s participation Sunday will depend on his ability to practice this week.

And James Farrior, who missed the Patriots game with a calf injury, will work in a limited capacity this week.

“We’re very multiple defensively usually in response to offensive packages,” he said. “But sometimes your personnel may dictate otherwise.”

The Steelers hope linebacker Jason Worilds returns this week from a quadriceps injury. If Woodley, Farrior and Harrison can’t play, Carter, Sylvester and Larry Foote will take on bigger roles. Tomlin also didn’t rule out using four defensive linemen.

Receiver Hines Ward will practice this week after missing the Patriots game with an ankle injury. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who announced on his Twitter account that his mother died Tuesday morning, will have his left knee evaluated. Both players will be monitored throughout the week. Only guard Doug Legursky, who started the first three games of the season, has officially been ruled out for Sunday.