Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about fielding a fully healthy roster as they prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. This includes the anticipated return of starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who missed the previous game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a knee injury sustained in Week 16. Porter's return is crucial as the Steelers will confront one of the NFL's top receiving duos, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who recently excelled in a game against the Denver Broncos, combining for 20 receptions, 233 yards, and three touchdowns.

Alongside Porter, backup quarterback Justin Fields is also back in action after being sidelined with an abdominal issue. The Steelers have also activated the practice windows for rookie receiver Roman Wilson, who has been on injured reserve since late October due to a hamstring issue, and inside linebacker Cole Holcomb, who is recovering from a knee injury. Tomlin is eager to leverage a healthier lineup to break their three-game losing streak and secure their first playoff victory since 2016.

While the Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot, they still have significant stakes in the upcoming match. A victory against the Bengals, coupled with a Baltimore Ravens loss to the Cleveland Browns, would grant the Steelers the AFC North title and a home game in the wild-card round. Conversely, a win alone would ensure a fifth seed in the playoffs, setting up a wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans. Tomlin emphasized the importance of momentum heading into the playoffs, expressing his desire to erase the negative feelings from recent performances with a strong showing at Acrisure Stadium.