Nov 8, 2016 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – Forget being green with envy, the Steelers could be green with optimism when it comes to tight end Ladarius Green.

Green, who has been on the Physically Unable to Perform List since the start of training camp, is in line to be activated by the Steelers (4-4) later this week before their game at Heinz Field Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys (7-1).

For a team that has lost three straight games en route to its second-consecutive 4-4 start and is struggling to get consistent play from its wide receivers not named Antonio Brown, the addition of Green could be a big one.

“(He) had a really good week last week,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of Green, who has been practicing for two weeks. “We will see where his participation takes him this week. He will have an opportunity for consideration this week, if all goes well.”

Green suffered an ankle injury while playing for the San Diego Chargers last season that required offseason surgery. He also had two concussions in September of last season that caused him to miss some time.

The Steelers knew when they signed Green to a 4-year, $20-million free agent contract in the offseason that recovery time might make it difficult for him to return in time for the start of training camp, but they didn’t think the issues would linger into November.

Green could provide a boost against the Cowboys, who have had issues covering tight ends. Opposing quarterbacks are 47 of 53 for 464 yards and three touchdowns when targeting the tight end against Dallas. That completion percentage of 89 percent is by far the highest in the NFL.

“He’s another big target out there who can stretch the field down the seam,” said Brown, who has drawn even more attention than in previous years.

It was no coincidence the Steelers signed Green just days before the league announced wide receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended for the 2016 season for violation of the substance abuse policy. Many saw the 6-6, 240-pound Green as a replacement for tight end Heath Miller, who retired at the end of last season. But Green, who averaged 14.1 yards per reception in his four seasons with the Chargers, can help take some of the pressure off Brown.

Brown leads the Steelers with 55 receptions – 35 more than the next closest wide receiver, Sammie Coates, who has 20 catches.

Coates has had his moments but did not have a reception in a 21-14 loss at Baltimore and dropped a pass in the end zone with 4:09 remaining that would have cut the Ravens’ lead to 21-14. He has one reception for four yards since suffering a broken finger and laceration on his left hand Oct. 9 in a win over the New York Jets.

“I think it’s important that we get consistent contributions from guys not named Antonio Brown. And I think that if you look at it, that may be one of the reasons why we didn’t perform as well as we’d like looking back at last Sunday,” Tomlin said. “Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates and Cobi Hamilton, I think, collectively had zero catches. You have to balance it out. You can’t allow people to do some of the things that they’ve been able to do against Antonio without repercussions.

“When we’re functioning well it’s because those other guys are producing plays. It might not be a high-volume number of plays, but it’s significant plays.”

Tight end Jesse James has performed admirably as a replacement, catching 24 passes, three of which have gone for touchdowns. But he’s averaged just 7.2 yards per reception, half of Green’s career average.

“He’s done some nice things. He’s proven his health,” Tomlin said of Green. “He’s in the process of proving his overall level of conditioning. Obviously, a guy who’s missed training camp and things of that nature. We’ve got to be smart about how we utilize him, if we utilize him, and what we ask him to do. All of those are components of the equation as we sort through his potential availability.”

Tomlin said center Maurkice Pouncey, who suffered a dislocated thumb two plays into the loss at Baltimore and was limited to 19 snaps, had surgery on the thumb but could practice Thursday or Friday and play against the Cowboys. … Heyward-Bey (sprained foot) and safety Jordan Dangerfield (groin) will not play against Dallas. … Tomlin said running back DeAngelo Williams continues to suffer discomfort in his left knee. … Linebacker Bud Dupree will begin practice this week as he attempts to return from injured reserve after having surgery in August to repair a sports hernia. The Steelers will have 21 days to decide whether to place him on the active roster or keep him on injured reserve. Tomlin said he expects Dupree to contribute this season.