Steelers Notebook: OL Ramon Foster and Marcus Gilbert appear fine for Sunday's game vs. Jets

The Steelers had to play much of their season opener without two of their starting offensive linemen. Coach Mike Tomlin doesn't think that will be the case for the team's next game.

G Ramon Foster and OT Marcus Gilbert should be "fine" for the Steelers' home opener against the New York Jets on Sunday, Tomlin said at his weekly news conference Tuesday. Right guard Foster left a 31-19 loss at Denver due to an optical migraine and right tackle Gilbert was forced out due to a hyperextended left knee.

Harrison status up in the air: Tomlin said LB James Harrison worked out Monday and is on track to return to practice Wednesday. Harrison, who underwent minor knee surgery last month, did not play against the Broncos. He practiced last Monday but his condition deteriorated throughout the week. He was limited in practice last Wednesday and did not participate last Thursday or Friday.

"We'll follow the same protocol with him as we did last week," Tomlin said. "We'll monitor his activity and see how the knee responds and let that be our guide."

Polamalu, Mendenhall, other injury updates: Other than "others with minor bumps and bruises," Tomlin updated the status of two prominent players. S Troy Polamalu has a right calf strain that "shouldn't prohibit him from playing but may limit him early in the week."

RB Rashard Mendenhall will be evaluated as the week goes on. He practiced fully last week as he continues recovery from a January torn ACL. "We'll see where the week takes us," Tomlin said. "We'll put our heads together after seeing how it unfolds."

A sign that perhaps could be taken as an encouraging one: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson returned to action last week -- and he tore his ACL eight days before Mendenhall did late last season.

No worries vs. no-huddle: Tomlin downplayed any concerns he might have about his defense facing a no-huddle offense. QB Peyton Manning and the Broncos seemingly moved the ball with ease against the Steelers when they did not huddle up.

Tomlin said the inability to stop Denver had nothing to do with the fact the drives were conducted in the no-huddle.

"I'm less concerned about the fact they used the no-huddle and more concerned about what transpired after the ball is snapped," Tomlin said.

"(Facing a no-huddle) didn't really tax us or limit us in terms of personnel packages or the types of coverages we run."

From seven to eight? Tomlin did not reject the notion the Steelers might consider dressing eight offensive linemen on game days in the future. They've traditionally only had seven linemen active, a situation that has led to the team being perilously close to lining a tight end up at tackle when two linemen go down with injuries in a game.

He'll be here all week: The sometimes-stoic Tomlin had a pretty funny self-deprecating line during his press conference -- but it wasn't completely accurate.

Tomlin spoke highly about Jets rookie WR Stephen Hill. Then, in a clear reference to the two long touchdowns that Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas has had in the past two meaningful games the Steelers have played, Tomlin said, "Obviously, we're somewhat allergic to first-round pick wideouts from Georgia Tech."

That drew laughs. Thomas and Hill both went to Georgia Tech, and Thomas was taken in the first round of the 2010 draft by Denver.

Hill, however, was a second-round pick this past year.

Follow Steelers reporter Chris Adamski on Twitter @CBSSteelers and @BuzzsawPGH.