Each NFL team gets an idle weekend during its 18-week season. The merits of the timing of these byes can differ by team and situation.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, a case could be made that their week off came at an ideal time.

During a “bonus” session as players returned to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday, two offensive contributors on injured reserve were welcomed back to practice, three others who had missed game time also were back on the practice field and a defensive starter emerged fully cleared from concussion protocol.

“Health is wealth in the NFL,” veteran center Mason Cole said. “It’s good to have guys getting back, and then I expect them to be back full this week.”

While DeMarvin Leal’s return after missing last week’s game because of a concussion will help the defensive line depth, the majority of the positive injury news Monday came on offense. The Steelers announced that starting wide receiver Diontae Johnson and reserve running back Anthony McFarland returned to practice as they ramp back up from four-game stints on the injured reserve list.

After practice, starting left tackle Dan Moore and No. 1 tight end Pat Freiermuth confirmed they participated in the session after both missed the Baltimore game because of injury. Additionally, Freiermuth confirmed starting right guard James Daniels was practicing despite missing the past two games because of a groin injury.

“It’s going to be awesome having all our people back,” said Freiermuth, who suffered a hamstring injury during a loss at the Houston Texans on Oct. 1. “Hopefully, we get back to the form we had in camp. We’re all looking forward to it. It was a good little rest. Hopefully, we get all our games back, especially James and ‘Ant Mac’ ready to roll.”

Johnson suffered a hamstring injury early during the second half of the season opener, a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in which McFarland also suffered a knee injury. Each went on IR eight days later and missed the requisite four games.

Now that each has returned to practice, a 21-day window is opened during which each must be activated to the 53-man roster, or they will be lost for the season. That is expected to be a formality, as Johnson (speaking to reporters on the final practice before players were given off for the weekend) and McFarland expressed optimism they are close to being cleared.

“Felt good,” McFarland said Monday. “I’m just glad to be back out with my teammates. I know it was four or five weeks, but it felt like it was a minute. It’s good to get back.”

The speedy McFarland had two receptions over five offensive snaps played in Week 1, and he served as the Steelers kickoff returner. After Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, the Steelers have used a third running back (by Qadree Ollison) for only one snap in the four games since McFarland went down.

In Freiermuth’s stead during last week’s win against the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers’ three tight ends in uniform combined for three catches for 23 yards.

“It was awesome to be able to get the extra week,” Freiermuth said. “I didn’t have to worry about rushing back for a game. I probably would have been able to play this past weekend if we were to play. Having that extra time, you know how hamstrings are. They can lag all year, so to be able to be 100% is awesome.”

Moore (sprained MCL) said his knee felt “really, really good… amazing” during Monday’s practice. Daniels was spotted — during the period of practice when video is allowed — taking part in a session Oct. 10 before the idle weekend. Veteran Nate Herbig started the past two games in Daniels’ place at right guard, and at left tackle rookie Broderick Jones made his first NFL start against the Ravens.

Moore was appreciative his injury was at a time when he could take advantage of the bye week in his recovery.

“When you talk about missing one game instead of two,” Moore said, “yet still getting three weeks of rest, it’s huge.”

Moore used the same word to describe the Steelers’ fortune in appearing to have a full lineup on offense after what had been an attrition-depleted unit before the bye.

“When you talk about getting a full, healthy offensive group back, that’s huge,” Moore said. “And, obviously, it’s key pieces of our offense. … It’s always good to have guys like that back.”

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