Tomlin won't use flu bug as excuse vs. Patriots

The Pittsburgh Steelers' practice was more than a few bodies short on Wednesday, due to an illness circulating through the team's facility. But that won't stop head coach Mike Tomlin from properly preparing his team.

Receiver Cobi Hamilton told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler up to 15 people in the Steelers' organization have been bogged down by a flu bug, including tight end Ladarius Green, receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, and kicker Chris Boswell.

"I'm just thankful that I've stayed out of the line of fire," said Tomlin about the illnesses. "We're not making excuses. There won't be. We'll be there, we'll be ready to play, this is just part of normal things that happen over the course of a season."

Running back Le'Veon Bell also missed practice Wednesday for personal reasons, which Tomlin also doesn't expect to cause any issues.