PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers will get a playmaker back just in time for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, as they have activated tight end Ladarius Green off the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

Green became a part of the 53-man roster ahead of Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, and he could play against Dallas. That's the expectation, as multiple players and Green himself acknowledged he took first-team reps in practices this week.

Coach Mike Tomlin will make that decision, and Green said he expected to talk with the coach over the weekend about his availability.

Green signed a four-year, $20-million deal with the Steelers in March after leaving the San Diego Chargers via free agency. But offseason ankle surgery kept him out of the lineup throughout training camp. The NFL Network reported Green, who had multiple concussions in San Diego, also suffered from recurring headaches.

Green and Tomlin have said the ankle is the sole reason why he has been sidelined. He started practicing Oct. 25, starting a 21-day window for the team to decide whether to activate him.

"He's here for a reason," offensive coordinator Todd Haley said Thursday. "We're excited to have him out there finally. I know he's excited to be out there, but he's still got to finish up the week and again, that will be one of those that come down to coach [Tomlin] at the end of the week."

To make room on the roster for Green, the Steelers released linebacker L.J. Fort.