FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers speaks to an official in the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

MIke Tomlin hopeful that 15 Pittsburgh Steelers sidelined ahead of playoff tilt with Patriots will be available Sunday

Pass the tissues, please.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are battling an opponent as difficult as the New England Patriots —- the flu.

ESPN reports that as many as 15 Steelers have been hit with a 24-hour flu bug. Four players missed practice Wednesday and tight end Ladarius Green missed Thursday.

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Coach Mike Tomlin doesn't see the bug as a problem.

"We're not making excuses," he said.  "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.

Pittsburgh meets the Patriots Sunday in the AFC Championship game with a scheduled 6:40 p.m. kickoff. The winner plays in the Super Bowl against the winner of the Atlanta Falcons-Green Bay Packers game. The NFC championship game kicks off at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.