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Only Taylor out for Steelers' Saturday preseason game
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Coach Mike Tomlin has ruled out only one player so far for Saturday night's third preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field, and that's cornerback Ike Taylor, who is recovering from a broken thumb.
But he said a number of other players could be considered questionable and may not play, and those include left tackle Jonathan Scott (knee), cornerback Bryant McFadden (hamstring/groin) and receivers Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (foot).
If Scott can't play, Tomlin said rookie No. 2 Marcus Gilbert would start at left tackle.
Tomlin acknowledged that Gilbert is coming off after what he called "a rocky start," a reference to Gilbert reporting to camp overweight and then injuring his hamstring as a result.
In an afternoon press conference today at the team's South Side offices, Tomlin said the starters will play at least a half against the Falcons and one of the units might even begin the third quarter. He said his top two quarterbacks -- Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich -- will play for sure, but he hasn't decided how he will use Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon.
Tomlin also said tackle Tony Hills will start for the second game in a row at right guard, though he cautioned Hills has not been anointed the permanent starter.
He said Hills will start there against the Falcons because he didn't get enough time with the first team at right guard against the Philadelphia Eagles because he had to move to tackle when Scott and Gilbert were injured.
"He's earned that," Tomlin said of Hills. "But that battle, by no means, is over."
First Published August 25, 2011 2:22 pm
