Still wallowing in the "stench," as he called it, of the Steelers' 41-10 loss in Cincinnati, Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that his team won't get over that defeat. But with six games remaining in the regular season -- including this Sunday against the Ravens at Heinz Field -- all concerned do have to move on from it.
That said, as he did following the loss, Tomlin reiterated that changes could be coming.
"It’s a catalyst for action, for thoughtful action, and I know it’s going to be for us, whether it’s strategic or whether it’s personnel-based," Tomlin said. "We’ve got to comb through it. We’ve got the ask the critical questions, ‘Why have we done that?’ We’ll continue to do that as we shape our next plan and make critical decisions regarding our next plan, the schematics that we choose to employ, the personnel that we choose to highlight, emphasize or de-emphasize.
"All of those variables are debatable at this juncture. What you can’t do is continue to do the things that you’ve been doing and expect different results. We’re open to some schematic changes, some personnel changes. They won’t be drastic in nature, probably more subtle in nature. But they will be significan,t and significant in a positive way."
One thing that won't happen by Sunday is the return of Stephon Tuitt. On injured reserve all season with a knee injury, sources say Tuitt is recovered to the point where he could return to play. But Tuitt also is still dealing emotionally with the loss of his brother in July in a hit-and-run accident. And time is becoming a factor.
And with the schedule being what it is the next two weeks, the game Sunday followed by a short week for a Thursday night game in Minneapolis, having Tuitt return this week to start the clock rolling on a potential return with only one day of walkthrough practice next week might not be the best way to bring him back.
"I don’t have a six-week perspective. I have a Ravens-week perspective. He won’t be available to us this week, and so the people who have my attention this week are those that will be," Tomlin said of Tuitt. "We’ll continue to monitor his progress, and when he gets close, I’ll have an update for you guys."
So, if it's not a return of Tuitt, what other personnel changes might the Steelers make?
One could be the insertion of Zach Banner into the offensive line. But that would mean Chuks Okorafor would either go to the bench or shift to left tackle in place of rookie Dan Moore. Outside of that, with guard Kevin Dotson and center J.C. Hassenauer on injured reserve, there's not another move to be made.
Defensively, the Steelers signed defensive tackle Montravius Adams off the practice squad of the Saints Tuesday. Adams has appeared in five games this season, including one start. But expecting him to be ready to play significant snaps against the Ravens might not be realistic.
The same cannot be said of defensive tackle Carlos Davis. Designated to return from injured reserve two weeks ago, the Steelers could bring Davis back this week. He's been out since suffering a knee injury in Week 1.
"Both guys are capable," Tomlin said. "Adams has a few more hurdles to clear because learning what to do is a component of it. Carlos has been practicing, and so we'll continue to monitor his progress and the quality of that work and let that be our guide in terms of his potential inclusion."
The rest of the defensive line has already been playing -- though not well -- something Tomlin referenced when he spoke about the defense playing better as a whole.
With Tuitt and Tyson Alualu out, Cam Heyward is the only regular playing. Backups Chris Wormley, Isaiah Buggs, rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk and Henry Mondeaux have played extensive snaps -- with minimal results.
"Effort. That man-versus-himself battle," Tomlin said. "We’ve got to challenge ourselves, and we’ve got to dig down deep and be at our best in an effort to meet those challenges. In some instances, it’s guys that are in expanded roles, and I understand that. But that's life. One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity if he makes it an opportunity. We've been talking openly about that. I’m talking about winning one-on-one battles, whooping blocks and making tackles, coming off of blocks, the nature in which we combat people."
Inside linebacker Robert Spillane suffered a knee injury late in the first half against the Bengals on special teams. He had briefly replaced Devin Bush on the Bengals' opening possession. So, Spillane playing in place of Bush isn't going to happen. And the Steelers saw last season that the combination of Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert wasn't capable of replacing Bush after he was lost to a season-ending knee injury.
So, the choices there are limited.
"He's still very much growing in terms of awareness and the things that come with playing inside linebacker in the National Football League," Tomlin said of a struggling Bush. "And obviously, he needs physical work because there's a lack of volume of plays on his career resume."
Safety Miles Killebrew, who has been used at times as a cornerback against heavy-run teams, could be employed as a nickel or dime linebacker.
The Steelers are hopeful to get Joe Haden back this week after he missed the past two games with a sprained foot. If that happens, it would likely mean there won't be any other changes in the secondary.
Will any changes -- however subtle -- be enough against the Ravens, who at 8-3 lead the AFC North and currently hold down the No. 1 spot in the AFC playoff race? That remains to be determined.
"We’ll see on Sunday, won’t we?" Tomlin said. "It’s put-up-or-shut-up time. Talking doesn’t get it done. I can quell you and that question with an answer, but it’s not real. What we do in that stadium on Sunday is what’s real."
• Tomlin said he hadn't heard comments from former Steelers, including Ryan Clark and others, about his team being soft.
But he also didn't disagree with them.
"They would know," Tomlin said. "They know the things that we value. I don't know specifically what you're talking about. But guys that have been here, guys that have been in that room, guys that understand the standards that we aspire to, they probably have a better understanding of that than anybody that's not in that room right now. I would imagine that whatever it is you’re referring to, I agree with them."
• When asked about Chase Claypool's comment regarding how playing music during practice might help the Steelers turn things around, Tomlin's message was simple: Stay in your lane.
"Claypool plays wideout, and I'll let him do that. I'll formulate the practice approach. And I think that division of labor is probably appropriate," Tomlin said.
• In addition to Spillane and Haden, Tomlin said Pat Freiermuth is in concussion protocol. He'll need to practice at some point this week before potentially being cleared by an independent neurologist Saturday to play Sunday.
"We'll continue to follow that progress and see where that leads us," Tomlin said.
The only other injury of note is to long snapper Christian Kuntz, who is dealing with a hip issue. He is expected to be ready to play Sunday.
