McCormick fractured his hand during the team's season finale loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Backup guard Spencer Anderson came in for McCormick and finished the game. But Tomlin thinks McCormick could be good to go.
"He'll be sized for a cast and/or a brace and check functionality there," said Tomlin. "And so his participation and the quality of his participation will kind of be an indication of his potential availability as we push forward."
McCormick was drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft and started in 14 of the team's 17 games this season. The rookie finished the regular season with a 57.7 PFF grade (85th out of 135), a 63.2 pass-blocking grade (62nd), and a 53.7 run-blocking grade (108th).
McCormick allowed two sacks, two quarterback hits, and 21 pressures on 936 snaps this season.
Tomlin also mentioned that defensive back Donte Jackson could be ready to go for Saturday despite facing a lingering back injury.
"He feels good this morning, but again, we'll watch him throughout the course of the week and see what his participation does in terms of the possibility of his inclusion," said Tomlin.
Johnson is a seven-year veteran who spent the first six seasons with the Carolina Panthers after being taken 55th overall in the 2018 draft. He has started in all 15 games he's played in for the Steelers and finished the regular season with five interceptions, eight pass deflections, and 38 tackles.