PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has offered scant details about how the running back situation will play out Saturday night when the Baltimore Ravens visit Heinz Field for an AFC wild-card playoff game.

But he did make one thing clear when it comes to rookie scatback Dri Archer blocking outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, whose 16 ½ career sacks of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is the most by any player.

“If I want him to block Suggs then I’m stupid,” Tomlin said.

Beyond Tomlin using a player other than the 5-8, 173-pound Archer to pass protect it is anyone’s guess how the eighth-year coach will employ his running backs against the Ravens.

Le'Veon Bell will start and play extensively if he is healthy enough after hyperextending his right knee last Sunday night.

But Tomlin is preparing for every other scenario in large part because if Bell if able to play there won’t be much division of labor in the backfield.

If Bell doesn’t play -- and the odds of that are pretty high -- Tomlin will have to etch out the running back roles among a pair of rookies, a free agent that the Steelers signed Tuesday afternoon and Will Johnson, a fullback who has lined up more at tight end this season.

Josh Harris, whom the Steelers signed off their practice squad last month, will likely start if Bell does not play against the Ravens, and the speedy Archer will also receive more snaps.

Tomlin said Ben Tate will also be in the mix even though the fourth-year veteran will only practice with the Steelers three times before Saturday night.

Tate, who was released by the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings this season, will learn as much of the offense as he can over the next three days. Tomlin said the abbreviated time for Tate to absorb the offense won’t preclude him from playing significant snaps against the Ravens since he is in football shape.

Johnson could also see playing time as a running back if Bell doesn’t play, Tomlin said.

“When you’re talking about replacing an impact guy like [Bell] it’s not a one-man job,” the eighth-year coach said. “It never is. It’s a multiple-man job and it might be a multiple-man job across positions. It doesn’t necessarily mean we are going to play with a back on third down. It may mean that we play with an additional wideout or an additional tight end. We’re going to turn over all the stones to make sure that we’re prepared to replace his significance.”

As for Bell's chances of playing Saturday night, Tomlin said, “We’re going to do what’s right and we’re not going to be swayed by circumstance.”