The Pittsburgh Steelers and Some Injury Updates
Sep 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon (90) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Titans won the game, 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
For those of you who were interested in some important injury updates, Ed Bouchette of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweeted the following pieces of information today regarding the health of some of the team’s most important on-field personnel:
#Steelers add Steve McLendon to injury list with a hamstring, limited participation
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 12, 2013
#Steelers: Cortez Allen did not practice (ankle). Heath Miller limited
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 12, 2013
The Steelers can ill-afford to have McLendon hobbled with a hamstring problem before such a critical divisional matchup. The team’s new starting nose tackle played very well against the Titans (six tackles), and he looks like he can emerge as a force in the defensive trenches this fall. Thankfully like Miller, McLendon was only limited in practice today instead of held out of it completely. With an extra day to prepare before the showdown with Cincinnati, Pittsburgh’s nose tackle will hopefully be ready to play.
As far as Miller is concerned, I am extremely happy to hear that he is practicing again with the team. While I do not expect him to return as early as this Monday, any signs of positive news about the knee of the Steelers’ starting tight end are nice to read.
Allen’s status concerns me, and the Steelers can ill-afford to be without their “number two” cornerback on Monday night. If Ike Taylor can corral A.J. Green, then it will be “open season” on the rest of Pittsburgh’s secondary if Allen is sidelined or hindered by his ankle.
I for one do not want to see William Gay covering Tyler Eifert or Jermaine Gresham between the hashes. Nor do I want to see Gay or Curtis Brown testing their luck against Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, and Brandon Tate very often either.
The Steelers are already in a bind without Maurkice Pouncey, Larry Foote, and LaRod Stephens-Howling. If they face the Bengals without those three, Miller, and possibly even Allen, it could be a long night in Cincinnati.
Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference
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