The Steelers were without nickel cornerback Mike Hilton and fullback Derek Watt for their 27-24 win last Sunday against the Titans, but Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he expects both to be available when his team travels to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
Hilton, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, and Watt, who has missed two of the past three games with a hamstring injury, are expected to practice for the Steelers (6-0) on Wednesday as they begin preparations to play the Ravens (5-1).
"We'll assess their performance throughout the course of the week and kind of make prudent decisions in that regard," said Tomlin.
Getting both players back would be a boost to the Steelers, who are the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFL.
Hilton has 29 tackles in five games and also has recorded three sacks, making him one of five Steelers who have at least three this season, the most of any team in the league. Hilton also is a force defending the run. He has five tackles for a loss to go along with three pass defenses and an interception.
Cameron Sutton handled the nickel cornerback duties for the Steelers against the Titans and played well, finishing with four tackles and two pass defenses.
With Watt missing, the Steelers signed defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux from their practice squad and used him not only to help replace Watt on special teams, but as a fullback at the goal line, as well.
Mondeaux helped pave the way for a 1-yard Benny Snell touchdown run in the first half against the Titans. But he did commit two penalties in the game, jumping offside once and getting called for a holding penalty on a return.
Tomlin did say that two players came out of the game against the Titans with injuries that might keep them from playing against the Ravens.
Defensive lineman Chris Wormley suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter against the Titans and did not return. Tomlin said Wormley, acquired from the Ravens for a fifth-round draft pick in the offseason, will undergo an MRI to reveal the extent of any damage.
And safety Jordan Dangerfield, the team's special teams captain, will be limited by a quad injury that will make him questionable to play. Dangerfield leads the Steelers with six tackles on special teams.
