| Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said there is no feud between Todd Haley and Ben Roethlisberger. (US Presswire) |
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes any comments quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made about offensive coordinator Todd Haley's play-calling during the club's loss Sunday at Dallas were done in the heat of the moment after a hard-fought game and in no way indicated a rift between the two.
"Yes, he is,'' Tomlin said Tuesday during his weekly press conference when asked if his offensive coordinator and quarterback were on the same page. "That was a tough, hard-fought football game, an emotional one, and when you come up short there are frustrations associated with that.
"I'm sure if anything was read into his comments, it was just that. I met with Ben yesterday and he's ready to move forward with this week. And he's on-board with what it is that we're doing.''
Roethlisberger spoke to the media at length shortly after the gut-wrenching loss at Dallas, and various topics were discussed. The quarterback believed he absolutely lost the game for the Steelers, letting "the team, the fans (and) everybody down."
There also were two somewhat critical comments.
First, Roethlisberger said that more plays should have been called for tight end Heath Miller, who was not targeted in the second half after catching all seven passes thrown his way for 92 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Second, the Steelers should have run the no-huddle attack more often since they were successful at it. But these were only a portion of his comments taken out of context.
Those media members who witnessed the entire interview did not believe Roethlisberger was criticizing Haley and despite a season-long perception that the two do not get along, there has never been anything publicly to indicate that. Certainly Haley has been nothing but complimentary of his quarterback.
Injury update: The situation could brighten a bit this week, as cornerbacks Cortez Allen (groin) and Keenan Lewis (hip flexor) are expected to practice and be ready for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field. Allen missed the last game, and Lewis was injured during that game.
Ike Taylor (foot fracture) has missed the past two games and remains out. However, Tomlin noted that Taylor does not have to wear a boot and can begin doing more this week. "It's progressing nicely,'' Tomlin said. "I like the nature of the progress that he's attaining.''
First-year cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke suffered a shoulder dislocation in the game and was placed on injured reserve. His roster spot was taken by Justin King, a fourth-year NFL veteran who played locally at Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway High School and Penn State. King, who played three games for the Colts this season, was signed Tuesday and will practice with the team this week.
Two other players, wideout Emmanuel Sanders (ribs) and offensive tackle Mike Adams, are expected to practice this week. Tomlin said their participation will depend on how much they are able to do this week. Adams was the starting right tackle for six games, but he missed the last three with an ankle injury.
Running back rotation: Tomlin said he's happy with Jonathan Dwyer as the starter and Isaac Redman as the backup, but he looks forward to "getting Rashard (Mendenhall) back in the building and participating with his teammates and letting that participation lead us in etching out a potential role for him."
Mendenhall was suspended last week for not showing up for the Dec. 9 home game against the Chargers.
"I would like to see them get it more, particularly a defined, featured runner," Tomlin said, referring to the number of carries. "We haven't (been able to do that) for a variety of reasons. (And) we were successful in running the ball against these guys the last time."
Expanded role for Plaxico: Tomlin noted that wideout Plaxico Burress, inactive for two of the three games since he signed with the Steelers, could see action this week. But it all depends on helmet availability. If Sanders can't play, Burress will dress. If the Steelers have four other healthy wideouts, extra bodies in the secondary likely will be needed, and five receivers (with Burress the odd-man out) would be a luxury.
Follow Steelers reporter Dale Grdnic on Twitter @CBSSteelers.