Mike Tomlin triumphantly walked off the field after his Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 17–10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
He repeated a three-word phrase on his way to the Steelers’ locker room.
“Off the couch,” Tomlin exclaimed. “Off the couch!”
Mike Tomlin comes off the field saying “off the couch,” an apt description of this injury-marred defense and the place they found replacements. pic.twitter.com/O15gRxsJzS
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) January 7, 2024
Tomlin is likely referring to the Steelers finding players to fill in while they battle through a flurry of injuries. Pittsburgh’s defense, in particular, was missing safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick, Trenton Thompson and Keanu Neal. Damontae Kazee missed his third straight game due to suspension.
Eric Rowe was elevated from the practice squad to start at safety for the third consecutive game opposite veteran Patrick Peterson, who normally plays cornerback.
Linebacker Myles Jack came out of retirement when he signed with the Steelers in November. The 28-year-old appeared in his third game this season and tallied three tackles against the Ravens.
Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers face some unfortunate news, however, as star linebacker T.J. Watt suffered what is believed to be a Grade 3 MCL tear in his knee, which will likely keep him out a few weeks if Pittsburgh makes the playoffs.
After defeating Baltimore, the Steelers can make the postseason field in three ways: If the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills, if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans or if the Indianapolis Colts-Houston Texans clash ends in a tie.
