Steelers football blog

Colon out for the season

With Willie Colon out for the season, the Steelers will turn to a rookie at right tackle.

Marcus Gilbert will make his first career start Sunday when the Seattle Seahawks visit Heinz Field for a 1 p.m. game.

Gilbert, a second-round pick in April, takes over for Willie Colon, who had surgery this morning to repair a torn triceps.

The Steelers have placed Colon on injured reserve and signed offensive tackle Jamon Meredith.

Meredith worked out for the Steelers today along with veteran Ray Willis. The 6-5, 312-pounder started four games for the Bills in 2009, when he was in Buffalo with Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler. (continue)

Ike Taylor to get surgery

Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor will undergo surgery on his left thumb Tuesday.

Taylor broke his thumb on the second play of the Steelers` 16-7 loss to the Redskins last Friday night.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that he expected Taylor to miss two to three weeks. Tomlin was evasive after practice today when asked if that timetable has changed or if Taylor will have to wear some sort of cast after he is cleared to practice.

Taylor called the injury a "freak accident." When asked if he will be ready for the Steelers` regular-season opener in Baltimore, Taylor said, "I don`t know. I`ve got to wait on the doctors." (continue)

No Pouncey for Super Bowl

Maurkice Pouncey’s superb rookie season apparently won’t end with a Super Bowl appearance.

According to teammate Chris Kemoeatu, the Steelers will be without Pouncey for Super Bowl XLV against Green Bay after suffering what was initially being diagnosed as a left high ankle sprain.

“We are definitely sad that he won’t be able to be with us in the Super Bowl,” said Kemoeatu following today’s practice on the South Side. “Definitely I feel bad for him. We just have to win it for him.”

Pouncey suffered the injury early in last week’s AFC Championship Game against the N.Y. Jets. He did not return to the game and was relegated to crutches on the sidelines for the duration of the 24-19 victory. (Trib)

McFadden should be back vs Jets

Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden, who left last Saturday’s game with an abdominal strain, is expected to play against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said today that McFadden and Pro Bowl strong safety Troy Polamalu (Achilles) will be limited in practice this week but that each will play in the 6:30 p.m. game at Heinz Field.

Tomlin said Aaron Smith will practice this week, leaving open the possibility that the veteran defensive end will play against the Jets. (Tribune)

Mostly healthy Steelers vs Ravens

The Steelers expect strong safety Troy Polamalu to play Saturday against the Ravens and coach Mike Tomlin isn’t ruling out defensive end Aaron Smith suiting up for the AFC divisional playoff game.

Smith, who will have an MRI taken this week on his left arm, has been dressing for practice but has yet to take part in drills.

He has been sidelined since partially tearing his triceps in an Oct. 24 game at Miami and almost certainly won't play against the Ravens.

But Tomlin said a decision on his availability won’t be made until after the Steelers get results from Smith's latest MRI.

“It’s been good to get him back on the field,” Tomlin said today at his weekly news conference. “I like seeing Aaron in a helmet.”

Polamalu probably won’t be in a helmet until Thursday for the Steelers’ final practice of the week. (Tribune)

Polamalu questionable vs Browns

Strong safety Troy Polamalu said he wants to play against the Browns.

Free safety Ryan Clark said he expects Polamalu to play in the Steelers' regular-season finale.

The decision on the Steelers' 2010 MVP ultimately will be made by coach Mike Tomlin.

Polamalu practiced Friday for the first time in three weeks and at least gave himself a chance to play in Sunday's 1 p.m. game at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Polamalu, who is tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions, has missed the last two games because of an Achilles injury. (Tribune)

No Polamalu, yes Miller

Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu will miss his second consecutive game tonight because of a lower leg injury.

The Steelers ruled Polamalu out for their 8:20 p.m. game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field.

Tight end Heath Miller, who missed the past two games because of post-concussion symptoms, is expected to play.

Miller, who suffered a concussion in a 13-10 win against the Ravens on Dec. 5, was not listed on the injury report that the Steelers submitted to the NFL yesterday.

Polamalu did not practice Tuesday or take part in the Steelers' walk-through yesterday.

The Steelers would like to rest Polamalu, who is tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions, until the playoffs. (Tribune)

Polamalu may be out for rest of regular season

Strong safety Troy Polamalu could miss the remainder of the regular season after aggravating his strained right Achilles tendon, sources told the Tribune-Review on Friday.

Polamalu, however, could return for the playoffs.

According to a Steelers source, the length of Polamalu's absence depends on the team's playoff positioning. The Steelers (10-3) hold a one-game lead over Baltimore in the AFC North.

The Steelers face the New York Jets (9-4) on Sunday, then close the regular season against Carolina (1-12) and Cleveland (5-8). They have only three days off before facing Carolina, possibly not enough time for Polamalu's injury to sufficiently heal.

The Cleveland game Jan. 2 might be meaningless for playoff positioning, and the Steelers could opt to sit not only Polamalu but also other starters. (Tribune)

 

Polamalu doubtful for Sunday

Troy Polamalu, who has made game-changing defensive plays in each of the past three games, is not expected to play Sunday against the New York Jets after aggravating his lower-leg injury on a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Polamalu has not practiced the past two days, which has been the routine for the five-time Pro Bowl safety since he was injured last month. But he has always practiced Friday and played Sunday -- until now.

The Steelers do not have to list Polamalu's official injury status for the game until today after practice. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Ryan Mundy or Will Allen. (PPG)

Miller should play vs hapless Jets

Tight end Heath Miller is on track to return to action Sunday after missing the Steelers’ 23-7 win against the Bengals with a concussion.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said today that Miller has passed a series of neurological tests and that the sixth-year veteran “has absolutely no symptoms” from the concussion he sustained in a Dec. 5 game at Baltimore.

Miller, Tomlin said, will be a full participant in practice tomorrow. Barring a setback Miller will play in the Steelers' 4:15 p.m. game against the Jets.Among the players that may be limited in practice this week because of injuries are right tackle Flozell Adams (ankle), strong safety Troy Polamalu (ankle), cornerbacks Bryant McFadden (hamstring) and Anthony Madison (knee contusion) and linebacker Keyaron Fox (hyperextended elbow). (Tribune)