The Pittsburgh Steelers announced linebacker James Harrison will miss "a number of weeks" due to a fractured right eye suffered in the second quarter of their 17-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. The four-time Pro Bowler and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year will undergo surgery Wednesday, according to coach Mike Tomlin. No timetable has been set for his return, though Tomlin said he would know more after Harrison's operation.
Due to Harrison's injury, Tomlin plans to shift Lawrence Timmons to outside linebacker and start Larry Foote at inside linebacker.
As John Stephens of Behind The Steel Curtain writes, the Steelers' wounded linebacking unit--Jason Worilds is also hurt--leaves them "down a creek without a paddle." And given the defending AFC champions' unimpressive start to the 2011 season, the sooner everyone is healthy, the better.
With 18 tackles on the season, Harrison is tied with Troy Polamalu and Timmons for the team lead.
For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.