Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was absent from practice Thursday, three days before the Super Bowl, and defensive lineman Aaron Smith, on the shelf for months with a torn triceps, did not participate in scrimmages.
For the second straight day, defensive end Aaron Smith, idle since Oct. 24 with a torn triceps, was limited in practice and didn’t play in any scrimmage work, while center Maurkice Pouncey (high ankle sprain) wasn’t present. He was inside the Horned Frogs’ training room getting rehab on the right ankle. Coach Mike Tomlin said he didn’t know if Pouncey would practice Friday, but said time is growing short for the rookie center to prove he can be mobile enough to play in Sunday’s game against Green Bay.
“It’s getting to be the witching hour for Maurkice,‘’ Tomlin said after practice. "He’s going to have to show us something very soon.’’
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there’s practically no chance that either of these guys are going to play. It’s unfortunate, but that appears to be reality, and it’s time to get used to the idea of Doug Legursky as the Steelers’ center.