The Steelers could add a veteran defensive back to the mix for Sunday's game against the Browns.
No, not that one. Mike Tomlin on Tuesday refused to answer questions regarding the possibility of the team having any interest in Arizona's Patrick Peterson.
The veteran defensive back the Steelers could see in their lineup when they return to play Sunday at Heinz Field is Morgan Burnett, who has missed the past four games with a groin injury.
Where Burnett fits back into the equation, however, remains to be seen.
"That's going to be determined as he displays availability," Tomlin said of the 29-year-old safety. "That availability to be able to put consecutive practice days together. We're going to give him the opportunity to practice. We gave him the opportunity to practice (Monday) in a partial capacity -- not at the expense of others, because he hasn't proven that consistent availability yet."
If it sounds like Tomlin is a little frustrated by Burnett's health, it's because he is.
First, Burnett dealt with a shoulder injury in training camp. It's been a groin injury that has sidelined him the past month. He attempted to return to practice two weeks ago but aggravated the injury.
The veteran safety was signed in the offseason to a three-year, $14.35-million contract to help change a secondary that had been burned repeatedly in 2017.
The Steelers allowed 13 pass plays of 40 or more yards and nine runs of more than 20 yards last season with free safety Mike Mitchell largely unable to cover much ground. Mitchell, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts two weeks ago, told reporters there last week he had played with a broken bone in his foot last season.
But the addition of Burnett and selection of Terrell Edmunds in the first round of the draft was supposed to help alleviate some of those big play issues. Strong safety Sean Davis also moved to free safety.
The duo of Edmunds and Davis has largely been good. The Steelers have given up three pass plays of 40 or more yards and two runs of more than 20 yards in their first six games, but the coaching staff would have liked to have had Burnett available for more than just two games rather than throwing Edmunds to the wolves.
It also hasn't allowed the Steelers to utilize many of the specialty packages they worked on in the offseason and training camp.
"I think a lot of the things we worked on, we haven't been able to do because of the injuries we've had," defensive backs coach Tom Bradley said.
That could include using Burnett as a dime linebacker -- a position that has been manned by cornerback Cameron Sutton the past couple of games -- and the dollar package that utilizes seven defensive backs on the field at the same time.
The Steelers have only employed the dollar package on one play in the opener in Cleveland -- a 21-21 tie -- and would at least like to have the potential to do so. They also would like to not be forced to have to play Edmunds, even though they have overall been pleased with his progress.
Getting Burnett back could have a trickle-down effect on the secondary at the cornerback position, as well.
With Sutton forced to play at the dime linebacker spot, the Steelers have continued to rotate struggling Artie Burns with veteran Coty Sensabaugh opposite Joe Haden.
Once Burnett shows he can be counted on week to week, the Steelers can potentially use Sutton on the outside, as well. In the meantime, Tomlin said Tuesday they'll continue with the rotation.
"He's just got to keep working. He's got to smile in the face of adversity," Tomlin said of Burns. "Young guys in the National Football League go through lulls in play, particularly at the cornerback position."