JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner missed the Steelers' 16-10 win Sunday in Cincinnati because of injuries, leaving the team without its leading receiver and leading rusher.
But the Steelers (6-5) are hopeful Smith-Schuster will be ready to return to the lineup Sunday when they host the Browns (5-6) at Heinz Field. Conner, on the other hand, would be considered more questionable, per sources.
Smith-Schuster suffered a concussion and knee injury two weeks ago in a 21-7 loss at Cleveland after getting sandwiched between defensive backs Morgan Burnett and Greedy Williams. Williams was fined $28,075 for helmet-to-helmet contact with Smith-Schuster, though the play did not draw an in-game penalty.
It was later revealed Smith-Schuster also suffered a minor knee injury during the play.
The fine was among the more than 30 doled out by the NFL for the game, which amounted to $809,000 in lost wages, most coming from players' involvement in a brawl at the end of the fourth quarter.
Conner, meanwhile, aggravated a shoulder injury in the first quarter of that game against the Browns. He had missed the Steelers' previous two games with the issue.
But the emergence of rookie Benny Snell could lead the Steelers to allow Conner to sit out an additional week to heal further. Snell had 98 yards on 21 carries against the Bengals in his first game back in the lineup after missing the previous three games with a knee injury, as the Steelers gained a season-high 160 yards on the ground.
Smith-Schuster leads the Steelers with 38 receptions for 524 yards and three touchdowns.
Conner has rushed for 390 yards and four touchdowns this season and ranks fourth on the team with 30 catches for 242 yards and two additional touchdowns.
The Steelers also will be without All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey, who will be serving the second of a two-game suspension for his part in the brawl against the Browns.