Updated Injury News: Woodley and Bell Practice, Beachum and McLendon Sidelined
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest and Scott Brown of ESPN.com provided some updated injury news via Twitter earlier this afternoon:
LT Kelvin Beachum (knee) and NT Stevel McLendon (ankle) did not practice today. RG David DeCastro (foot) was limited.
— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_15) December 5, 2013
Better injury news for @Steelers involves OLB Woodley and RB Bell. Both practiced today and should play vs Dolphins Sunday
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) December 5, 2013
The news about Kelvin Beachum and his knee sprain is quite troubling to say the least. While Steve McLendon being absent for a second consecutive week due to his high-ankle sprain is a cause for concern, the fact that the Steelers could be without their starting left tackle when they take on one of the league’s best pass rushing defenses (T-5th, 37 sacks) is nothing short of dreadful.
Much like the return of David DeCastro to practice in a limited fashion, the news regarding Le’Veon Bell’s status for Sunday’s game is terrific. Having their leading rusher (528 yards) back in the starting lineup will be a definite positive for Pittsburgh’s offense, and Bell’s versatility as a pass receiver (319 yards) should come in handy if the Steelers try to mix things up in the passing game.
LaMarr Woodley’s potential return to the lineup makes me extremely uneasy. With the way he has struggled coming off of various injuries during the last three seasons, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Steelers shut the veteran down with four games to go. Woodley’s return will also push Jason Worilds back to the right outside linebacker spot and send rookie Jarvis Jones to the bench.
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