PITTSBURGH -- Eight-time Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu expects to return from a knee injury after the Steelers' bye week.
Polamalu, who has missed the last two games because of a sprained knee, told KDKA's "Steelers Late Night" that his recovery has gone so well that he anticipates playing against the New Orleans Saints when they visit Heinz Field on Nov. 30.
"I believe if the game was this weekend I'd be able to play," Polamalu said.
That is welcome news for a defense that has been missing a handful of starters for much of the season. Rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier, who has missed six games because of separate injuries, is probably questionable at best to play against the Saints. The first-round draft pick is nursing a high-ankle sprain and the Steelers plan to ease him back into practice when the players return to team headquarters on Monday.
Cornerback Ike Taylor, meanwhile, is waiting for clearance from Steelers doctors as he works his way back from a broken forearm. Taylor, who was injured in the Steelers' 37-19 win at Carolina on Sept. 21, has been practicing on a limited basis and he is eager to return to the field.
Taylor, who had two plates inserted in his forearm, has an appointment with Dr. James Bradley on Monday.
"Doc said he'd rather have me a few weeks late than come back a few weeks early," Taylor said. "I've got to respect what he says."
Taylor will wear a small cast after he is cleared to return to action and the 12-year veteran acknowledged that he will have to play through some pain.
"It's still broken technically," Taylor said of his forearm. "From a medical standpoint, it's not all of the way healed until six months. I ain't got six months."