Report: Steelers bring back Hawkins for O-line

Mike Tomlin addressed Pittsburgh media Tuesday afternoon after the Steelers' 26-16 victory over the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Monday.

During that game, the Steelers saw injuries to both starting right tackle Zach Banner, and Stefen Wisniewski who started at right guard in replacement of David DeCastro. Tomlin said that Banner is out at least for the Steelers' next game against the Broncos on Sunday at Heinz Field, but wouldn't further elaborate.

"It's safe to characterize Zach Banner as out for this week," Tomlin said via Zoom on Tuesday. "We're still in the process of getting scans on [Wisniewski] and James Conner. I think they're forecasts are more favorable ones so we'll leave the light on for those two. We'll make some necessary adjustments and close ranks on a short week, and see where that leads us in terms of divisions of labor. But we acknowledge that injuries are part of the game. Although it's unfortunate for those men, it could mean opportunity for other deserving and capable men, just like it was on Monday night for Benny Snell, and he put that on display."

Tomlin further addressed Banner's injury, noting how his starting right tackle will have to approach the setback of his injury.

"It can be a cold game," Tomlin said when addressing Banner's injury. "But it's a lot like life. We're not defined by what happens to us, we're defined by how we respond to it. We talk openly about that. It's not that he got injured after all he's been through and the fight that he's been through to get where he is, it's about what he does moving forward in response to it. He's a competitor. He's a professional. I expect him to smile in the face of adversity."

Tomlin only declaring Banner out for the Steelers' upcoming game against the Broncos leaves room for Banner to continue to be evaluated and maybe return this season. However a report from Tom Peliserro of NFL Network Tuesday morning cited a source that said Banner had torn his ACL and would be out for the 2020 season:

And another report shows that the Steelers already are making moves to address the offensive line. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday afternoon that the Steelers signed offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins off the Texans' practice squad.

Hawkins was a fourth round selection for the Steelers in the 2016 NFL Draft out of LSU. The only playing experience Hawkins had with the Steelers came in 48 snaps across five games he played in 2017. In 2018 OTAs, Hawkins would suffer a torn quad and miss the entire 2018 season.

The Steelers would trade Hawkins in 2019 to the Buccaneers along with a seventh round pick in exchange for a 2021 sixth round pick. He played only three snaps in one game last season and his rookie contract expired, sending him to free agency. The Texans signed Hawkins in August of 2020, but would waive him in September and sign him to their practice squad a day later.

Whether Banner is out for the entirety of 2020 remains to be confirmed, but the Steelers bringing in Hawkins for depth shows they're preparing to need reinforcements on the offensive line.

The reinforcements that came in for the Steelers after both Wisniewski and Banner were injured were offensive tackle Chuks Okorafor for Banner and rookie Kevin Dotson for Wisniewski. Tomlin addressed the prospect of both players stepping up for playing time moving forward.

"Those are two different discussions," Tomlin said of the two replacement linemen. "We've talked quite a bit about Chuks along with Banner in the battle they had right tackle. Like I've said repeatedly, I thought both guys were starter capable and I still that way. I feel extremely comfortable with Chuks and his ability to play and his overall readiness."

Okorafor was a Steelers' third round selection from the 2018 NFL Draft. Okorafor has started four games for the Steelers between 2018 and 2019, with 237 total snaps played, including nine from Monday night. 

Tomlin made it clear that he's not 'extremely comfortable' with Dotson if he has to make his first career start this week.

"Dotson is another story," Tomlin said. "He's a young guy who hasn't had a lot of work throughout this process because of injury and lack of availability. There's some angst there. If he's called upon this week it's going to take a tremendous effort by him and by us. And by 'us' I mean us putting him in the vey best position to perform. There's some dual responsibility there."

Considering that Tomlin says the team's still evaluating Wisniewski, Dotson may not have to start. But Wisniewski was also replacing DeCastro, who was out against the Giants. Tomlin indicated there's still uncertainty about the five-time Pro Bowl guard's status moving forward.

 "You know, I don't know," Tomlin said about DeCastro's status. "I'm hopeful he'll be able to work tomorrow. We'll see."

The Steelers' starting left guard on Monday night was Matt Feiler, who started at right tackle over the past two seasons for the Steelers. When asked if he would consider moving Feiler back to tackle after Banner's injury, Tomlin left the possibility open as they evaluate which players are available and how they practice leading into Sunday.

"We're making some moves on the offensive line," Tomlin said. "I won't speculate on what our depth or the pecking order will be until we handle that necessary business. But I do like the play of Matt at guard and I did like the play he had last night and I know he is tackle capable. And I'm sure that will be an element of the discussion at the appropriate time."