It appeared that the Steelers could be without safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker LaMarr Woodley in their game on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, and that became official today, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo:
Woodley has a hamstring injury that head coach Mike Tomlin on Monday called "mild." Neither player participated in the practice today before the team departed for Nashville.
The Steelers' defense will obviously be a bit hard-pressed to make up for the loss of both starters. Pittsburgh's defense ranks well in passing yardage (3rd in the NFL) and rushing yardage (11th), but the Steelers have given up their fair share of points in bad losses to the
Oakland Raiders and
Denver Broncos earlier this season. Pittsburgh gave up a total of 65 points in those games alone and missing two important cogs on the defense won't help matters.
A bit of good news, though, is that star running back Rashard Mendenhall is listed as probable for the game.
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