Larry Foote Sidelined, Lack of Experienced Depth at ILB Exposed

Jun 11, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kion Wilson (48) participates in drills during minicamp at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers were already starved for experienced depth at the inside linebacker positions before training camp started back in July.  In fact, I even alluded to how the team’s lack of experienced depth at the positions could cost them if Lawrence Timmons or Larry Foote injured themselves this fall.

Sadly for the Steelers, Foote was lost for the rest of the 2013 regular season after he sustained a bicep injury during Pittsburgh’s 16-9 loss to Tennessee.

With Foote out, I am not necessarily worried about Timmons moving to the “buck/strongside” spot in his place if that scenario occurs.  Timmons was probably going to move there later in his career anyway, so that does not concern me very much.  If that happens though, then Steelers will still need a starter to take Timmons’ place at the “mack/weakside” spot, or even fill in for Foote at the “buck” if Timmons stays on the weakside.

Kion Wilson and rookie Vince Williams have zero starts between them, and Terence Garvin is shuttling between the practice squad and regular roster.  While the Steelers could try to re-sign Stevenson Sylvester for experience purposes, he has only started one game and was not even tendered a restricted free agent contract this past spring.

While Foote was not nearly the type of effective player he was in the mid-2000’s, he was nevertheless the best option that the Steelers had at their “buck” spot at the moment.  Now however, Pittsburgh must make do without the veteran inside linebacker and hope that Wilson, Williams, or even a free agent like Sylvester can step up as a viable option for them during the next 15 games.

Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference

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