PITTSBURGH — The bye week looks like it landed at a perfect time for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers suffered their second straight lopsided defeat on Sunday, this one at home against the New England Patriots. But Pittsburgh played without five regular contributors because of injury, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive end Cameron Heyward.

The Steelers are hopeful for rest and recovery before a road game at AFC North rival Baltimore on Nov. 6.

“We need to get all the pieces back together,” offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert said Monday. “We have a lot of bodies dinged up. We have to get some rest, heal up and really take advantage of this bye week.”

Gilbert missed the previous three weeks with an ankle injury. He said he wanted to return against New England, but the ankle didn’t respond the way he had hoped. Gilbert expects to be back after the bye against the Ravens.

It’s unclear when Roethlisberger will return.

Roethlisberger underwent surgery and was expected to miss four to six weeks after he injured his left knee against Miami. Roethlisberger didn’t speak to reporters on Monday, but he was spotted in the locker room walking without a limp. He also jogged onto the field Sunday to greet his defensive teammates prior to the game against New England.

That’s encouraging to Gilbert, who prefers to see Roethlisberger return when he’s 100 percent so he doesn’t suffer a setback.

“I see him walking around and he’s been looking good,” Gilbert said. “We’ll see how he’s progressing. Whenever he’s ready, I’m sure he’ll be out there, first thing, because we need him.”

The defense could use a boost from Heyward, who missed the previous two weeks with a hamstring injury.

“I feel good one day and take a step back the next,” Heyward said. “I have to be smart and keep progressing. I have to take it day by day because I don’t know how I’ll be feeling in two days. I just have to make sure I’m pushing myself to the extent where I’m ready to go.”