Guy Whimper Preparing to Start at Left Guard on Sunday

Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

According to the following tweets by Scott Brown of ESPN.com, it looks like Ramon Foster’s high-ankle sprain will keep him out of Pittsburgh’s upcoming game against the Detroit Lions:

The news itself is not much of a shock, especially when one considers how Foster had to be helped off the field after injuring his ankle last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Last Sunday marked the third time that Foster left a game this year due to an injury. Against Minnesota he made an early exit due to a pectoral problem, and then he left Pittsburgh’s game against Oakland with a concussion.

With Foster likely sidelined, it will be up to Guy Whimper to take his place in the interim. Whimper has already played three different positions this year along Pittsburgh’s makeshift offensive line, and the veteran even started at right guard for David DeCastro against the Patriots two weeks ago. A more natural fit at right tackle than anywhere else, Whimper will definitely have his hands full on Sunday when he faces Ndamakung Suh and Nick Fairley, Detroit’s stout defensive tackle-duo.

If Foster does in fact miss the upcoming game, Cody Wallace would become the team’s top interior backup and it might force the coaching staff to call-up rookie UDFA Chris Hubbard from the practice squad if they are in need of an extra offensive lineman on gameday.

Of course, playing “offensive line musical chairs” should be second-nature to Pittsburgh’s coaching staff at this point.

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