The Steelers enter the second half of the season with not only a 6-2 record, but also a relatively healthy team coming off their bye week.

Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that one of the benefits of farewell is regaining healthy bodies, and that should be the case as the team prepares for the game against the Washington Commanders.

“It was also a good week for those who were leaking a little bit or not at 100% health to get some of it back and get on a moving train,” Tomlin said. “We have a lot of players who have the opportunity to be out this week. We will be monitoring their involvement at various levels to determine if they will be included.”

Those who could return this week include center Zach Frazier, running back/returner Cordarrelle Patterson and outside linebacker Nick Herbig. Frazier missed the last two games with an ankle injury, while Herbig missed three games with a hamstring injury. Patterson missed four games with an ankle injury. Both Frazier and Patterson were full participants in Wednesday’s practice, while Herbig had a limited number of participants.

Tomlin also talked about the potential return of linebacker Tyler Matakevich and cornerback Cory Trice Jr., who are both on the Reserve/Injured List. Matakevich returned to practice on October 24 and the team has 21 days to activate him. He was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

“All these guys who have been out for the last few weeks and in some cases for a long period of time are on the verge of that,” Tomlin said. “We will see where their participation takes us and what roles we can give them.

“In fact, the bye week is probably spent thinking about those possibilities, how we can divvy up the work better while bringing talented people back to us.

“But I don’t see it as a problem. If it’s a problem, it’s a first-world problem. Having guys who are talented, who have stepped up and performed well in their absence, and the challenges of injecting them back into the team. If that’s how you want to describe it, folding is still an issue that I would welcome.” .”

Additionally, receiver Ben Skowronek returned to practice today but remains on the Reserve/Injured List. The Steelers either have a 21-day window to add him to the 53-man roster, or he will remain on the Reserve/Injured List for the remainder of the year.

Skowronek started the season on the practice squad and played in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. He was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on September 18.

Skowronek was originally selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 249th pick in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He appeared in 45 games for the Rams, starting 12 and making 58 receptions for 575 yards. He was traded to the Houston Texans this offseason.

The full injury report is below.