Injury News: Defensive Line Could Get Reinforcements
Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Scott Brown of ESPN.com shared some Pittsburgh Steelers related injury news earlier this afternoon via Twitter:
DE Brett Keisel (foot) and RT Marcus Gilbert (ankle) were lmited. NT Steve McLendon (ankle) was a full participant.
— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_15) December 18, 2013
SS Troy Polamalu and TE Heath Miller were given maintenance days and didn't practice. WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) also didn't practice.
— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_15) December 18, 2013
I for one am not opposed to veterans being allowed to sit early in the week. Those three contributors deserve some time to rest and rehabilitate so they can stay fresh for Pittsburgh’s final regular season games. Thus, I can totally understand why Miller, Cotchery and Polamalu did not participate in practice today.
Thoughts on the aforementioned veterans aside, the potential returns of Keisel and McLendon could be huge for the Steelers. Extremely thin when it comes to depth along their defensive line, Pittsburgh could stand to use their starting right defensive end and starting nose tackle back in their rotation.
As far as Marcus Gilbert is concerned, ankle and quad injuries have given him trouble all season long. If Pittsburgh’s starting right tackle is unable to play, then Guy Whimper would most likely replace the former Florida Gator like he did during the team’s win on Sunday night versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac and Pro Football Reference
Follow on Twitter: @DominicDiTolla and @NicePickCowherC
Like “NPC” on Facebook: Nice Pick, Cowher