Aug 10, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham (6) kiks a forty one yard field goal against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The New York Giants won 18-13. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Although the injury did not appear to be season ending, Mike Tomlin said in his post-game press conference that veteran kicker Shaun Suisham sustained a hamstring injury before Pittsburgh’s game this afternoon. When I think about it, that was probably the reason why his kickoff at the beginning of the game was a “squibber.”
While Tomlin did not elaborate on the extent of the injury, Mike Garafalo of FOX Sports tweeted the following earlier tonight:
Steelers K Shaun Suisham's hamstring injury could keep him out a few weeks. Veteran Shayne Graham a possibility to replace him.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 9, 2013
Although Suisham’s status is definitely not known for next Monday’s game, no team wants to keep a kicker in their lineup with a nagging hamstring injury. The loss of Suisham could be extremely damaging to Pittsburgh, especially since he was “money” last fall for the Steelers. Overall, Shaun made 90.3% of his field goals (28 for 31) and set a career-high for points in a season with 118.
Garafalo referenced that veteran Shayne Graham could be a stop-gap option for the Steelers to turn to if Suisham is sidelined for an extended period, or the team could turn to a youngster like Danny Hrapmann who has battled Suisham during the past two offseasons.
Regardless of what happens though, the last thing that Pittsburgh can afford to have right now are problems in the kicking game. The Steelers’ special teams units are already atrocious and mistake-prone, and the loss of their only consistent weapon in the form of Suisham could be horrible for them at this juncture.
Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference
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