The Steelers could be without Antonio Brown in their regular-season finale Sunday against the Bengals in a game the team needs to win to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.
Mike Tomlin said Friday after practice that Brown experienced some knee discomfort coming out of last Sunday's 31-28 loss at New Orleans. He was given a day off -- along with several other veterans -- Wednesday but showed up on Thursday still experiencing discomfort. The Steelers sent him for testing on the knee Friday.
"We'll get the results of those tests and obviously have more information," Tomlin said. "He's a veteran player. If it gets better, not a lot of physical repetitions are needed to perform. We'll see where all of that goes."
Brown recorded 14 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints, with all but one of those catches coming in the game's final 36 minutes.
He leads the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns to go along with his 104 receptions for 1,297 yards. He is the first player in NFL history to record six consecutive 100-reception seasons.
Tomlin did have some good injury news, however. James Conner made it through his third consecutive day of practice Friday and appears set to return following a three-game absence with a high-ankle sprain.
Conner, who was voted to his first Pro Bowl last week, leads the Steelers with 909 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. It also appears Sean Davis, who came out of the game against the Saints with a quad injury, also will be prepared to play after missing practice early in the week.
The Steelers (8-6-1) enter Sunday's regular season finale needing a win over the Bengals (6-9) and a win or tie by the Browns (7-7-1) in Baltimore (9-6) to win the AFC North championship and lock up a playoff berth. They also can reach the playoffs with a win and a tie by the Titans and Colts Sunday night.