Wexell: Kelvin Beachum at Left Tackle, Ramon Foster Expected to Be Back
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Many questions surrounded the Pittsburgh Steelers and their offensive line during their most recent bye week.
The Steelers’ brass did their best to shore up their left tackle spot when they acquired Levi Brown from the Arizona Cardinals. Although Brown has the most experience of the left tackles on Pittsburgh’s roster, “Swiss army knife” Kelvin Beachum was taking the first team reps over Mike Adams before Brown joined the team.
In addition to the “Brown trade,” many also wondered whether or not inured left guard Ramon Foster would be ready to play this weekend against the New York Jets.
Earlier today, Jim Wexell of SteelCityInsider.net tweeted the following news regarding Pittsburgh’s currently make-shift offensive line:
Players think Kelvin Beachum will start at LT vs. Jets. Levi Jones competing there today too.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) October 7, 2013
@ChrisMorelli Doh! Of course it's Levi Brown. I musts been back at Az State with Marvel Smith.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) October 7, 2013
Ramon Foster said he expects to be back to start at LG on Sunday.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) October 7, 2013
Like most of you, I am definitely intrigued by the news that Pittsburgh’s players believe that Beachum will start at left tackle versus the Jets. Beachum, who has yet to start at left tackle at the professional level, obviously has impressed his coaching staff and teammates enough to earn that type of praise.
Of course, I should add that today was only Brown’s first practice with the team, so much could change over the coming days. I will say that Brown will represent a more capable backup for the team at left tackle than Mike Adams though if the former Cardinal is not named the starter for Sunday’s game.
As far as Foster is concerned, I for one am happy to hear that Pittsburgh should have their starting left guard back in the lineup this Sunday as well. Foster, who suffered a pectoral injury against Minnesota, had to be replaced by the versatile Beachum for much of the Steelers’ last game in London.
Regardless of who starts where this weekend though, it would be nice to see the Steelers receive a collectively productive outing from their starters in the offensive trenches against the Jets.
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