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The Steelers defeated the Bengals on Monday Night, but the win came with a price tag. Multiple starters and reserves were injured, including Max Starks to a potential season-ending neck injury.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to make it back to the playoffs for the third time in four years ince Mike Tomlin arrived in Pittsburgh, they'll have to do so without the services of both offensive tackles they had penciled in as their 2010 starters. Willie Colon was lost for the year this summer, and Max Starks was placed on Injured Reserve today after sustaining a neck injury during Monday night's win over the Bengals.
Next up for the Steelers is a home date with the hated New England Patriots. Here's the official Wednesday injury report fot both squads.
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS |
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Practice Report |
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DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
DE Brett Keisel (hamstring), G Chris Kemoeatu (knee, ankle), TE Heath Miller (knee), K Jeff Reed (illness), DE Aaron Smith (triceps) |
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FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
S Will Allen (concussion), RB Mewelde Moore (concussion), RB Isaac Redman (concussion) |
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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS |
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Practice Report |
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OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY) |
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Wednesday |
K Stephen Gostkowski (thigh) |
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DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder, foot), S Jarrad Page (calf), DE Myron Pryor (back), S James Sanders (not injury related) |
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LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
S Patrick Chung (knee), G Steve Neal (shoulder), RB Fred Taylor (toe), DE Mike Wright (groin) |
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First it was right tackle Wilie Colon to go down with a season-ending injury when he ruptured his Achilles heel during mini-camps. Now left tackle Max Starks is shelved for the year after sustaining a neck injury during last Monday night’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider reported the unfortunate news on Twitter this morning:
Starks placed on IR. Steelers activate Chris Scott from PUP. Expect Jonathan Scott to replace Starks at LT.
Big opportunity for Jonathan Scott, who has struggled in limited action this year. The former Texas Longhorn and Buffalo Bills OT is in his first season with the Steelers.
Could the Steelers really find a way to make it to the playoffs and beyond without either of their two starting tackles? I’d like to know if it’s ever been done before, but something tells me the answer is a resounding no.
As coach Tomlin says though: ‘the expectation does not change.’
Week 9 was quite the roller-coaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers. All that ultimately matters is that the black and gold got the win and improved to 6-2. But as so often been the case in recent years, the Steelers allowed their opponent to get back into the game in the fourth quarter and make things interesting in the final minute.
Style points may not count, but some victories still come with a much higher price tag than others. Pittsburgh's 27-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals certainly did, as the Steelers lost multiple starters and several key reserves to injuries.
The most noteworthy of the injuries was to starting left tackle Max Starks, who reportedly misplaced a disc in his neck during the second quarter on Sunday night. Ed Bouchette is reporting that sources tell the Post Gazzette that the injury is serious and potentially season-ending for Starks.
Three Steelers also left Sunday's game with concussions. Reserve defensive back Will Allen, and running backs Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman will all be evaluated closely throughout the week, and must pass post-concussion tests before being cleared to play next Sunday against the Patriots.
Finally, offensive linemen Chris Kemoeatu and Maurkice Pouncey went down in the first half with injuries. For Kemoeatu, it was an ankle sprain that he was unable to return from. Pouncey meanwhile left with a leg injury. At that point, there were legitimate concerns about what might happen in the second half, as the Steelers had only dressed seven offensive lineman. Pouncey however returned in the second half to help lead the Steelers to victory. Gutty effort by him. Tomlin said he's hopeful Kemoeatu will be able to play next Sunday, even if he's forced to miss part if not all of practice this week. Pouncey 'will be fine' according to his coach, and is not expected to miss any work this week.
Stay tuned for more updates both here and at Behind the Steel Curtain as information becomes available. Max Starks' prognosis is an important one for the Steelers. Here's to hoping things aren't as bad as they initially seem.
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Steelers Vs. Patriots: Thursday Injury Report
It was a mixed bag of news on the injury front for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Kicker Jeff Reed returned to Steelers’ practice, while DE Brett Keisel (hamstring), TE Heath Miller (fluid on knee) and Chris Kemoeatu (knee, ankle) missed their second straight practice.
Kemoeatu injured his knee and ankle during Monday night’s victory when Trai Essex fell on his lower right leg. The pain is still intense for Kemoeatu, who’s considered questionable for Sunday night’s matchup with the Patriots.
Kemoeatu hasn’t ruled out Sunday, but also knows the dangers of rushing back too soon.
Also of note: running backs Mewlede Moore and Isaac Redman, as well as defensive back Will Allen were all cleared to play after passing post-concussion tests.
Nov 11 7:54p by Michael Bean - 0 comments