PITTSBURGH -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin indicated running back DeAngelo Williams will be limited early in the week with a foot injury. He is expected to play versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but the injury does shine a light on the depth, or lack thereof, behind Williams.
Jordan Todman is his backup, and Isaiah Pead was signed last week off the street. Pead did not dress for the Raiders game because he was not up to speed with the playbook.
"Todman is ready," Tomlin said. "He's been here for an extended period of time now. He's been here enough time now to have the details necessary to perform above the line. We're still very much in the teaching mode with Pead. Obviously, how he performs from a detailed and assignment standpoint during the course of this week will dictate whether or not he's going to be part of the equation at the end of the week."
--The Steelers switched out kickoff returners last week when they cut Dri Archer and picked up Jacoby Jones off waivers. The Steelers are in the middle of the pack in kickoff returns with a 24.5-yard average. When Jones struggled in his Steelers debut - he had four returns for 83 yards - the question arose about that unit's blocking ability.
"We're always focused on every element of the equation," Tomlin said. "Like on offense, we talk about the protection of the football, it's an 11-man job. The same can be said for the return game. Production on the return game is an 11-man job. The man who is returning the ball gets a lot of attention, but those who block for him are obviously a critical element of success, or lack thereof. So, the answer to your question is both.
"We're excited about having Jacoby and getting the type of detail that's going to allow him to be successful, but we're also excited about continuing to grow with the core group of guys we have that block and open holes for him in the return game."
--Antonio Brown had 17 catches for 284 yards on 23 targets, but Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones had much less success with the other pass-catchers against the Raiders in Week 9.
Tight end Heath Miller had three catches on six targets for 32 yards. Martavis Bryant had three catches on seven targets for 31 yards, and Markus Wheaton continues to struggle finding a rapport with any of the quarterbacks. He had one reception on four targets for minus-2 yards.
"I don't know if it can be characterized as an issue," Tomlin said. "I know (Roethlisberger) had no issues getting the ball to Antonio, so it makes it reasonable to expect there might have been issues with others, when you have 23 targets. You're not going to see 23 targets too often to one man.
"We'll continue to work to strike that balance among the guys we spread the ball around to. It's safe to say I wasn't displeased with the fact he found Antonio 17 times Sunday."
INJURY NOTES: QB Ben Roethlisberger did not practice Wednesday because of the foot sprain he suffered late in the fourth quarter of the game against the Raiders. He is not expected to play, but he has not officially been ruled out yet. ... RB DeAngelo Williams, who had 225 yards from scrimmage against the Raiders, did not practice because of foot inflammation. ... LB Ryan Shazier did not practice because of a knee injury. ... LB James Harrison did not practice because of a foot injury. ... LB Terence Garvin will miss a third consecutive game with a knee injury. ... TE Matt Spaeth will miss a second consecutive game with a knee injury. Rookie TE Jesse James is likely to dress again. He had two catches, including one for a touchdown, in his NFL debut vs. the Raiders.
