I sure hope that Harris can go this week, because I do not want to see Hubbard at RT against this Jets defensive line. Gilbert is probably out until after the bye at least. I wonder if they'll sign a Tackle very soon. Too bad Hawkins got hurt in pre-season....I think he may become a starter eventually. OLB is another concern with Jones and Chickillo banged up. At least they were described as "Questionable" rather than "Very Questionable," which I believe is synonymous with "Doubtful." Jones was having a pretty good game, but it looked like he was jawing with an OL with his back to ball when he got rolled up. Sure looked preventable to me. I don't think we'll see Sean Davis get much playing time for awhile with Gay in the slot/Burns outside looking like a better Nickel option and strong SS play from Golden/Dangerfield.
Who's next at OLB? Harrison shouldn't play the whole game. OT is a real concern as well. I look for the Steelers to play alot of 2 TE sets to compensate. If forget his name but the TE that left a couple years ago but is back used to be a terrific blocker with some size
I believe you are referring to David Johnson. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Johnson_(tight_end)
Justin Gilbert was carted off the practice field with a knee injury during Wednesday practice. Also these were the non participants for Wed. center/guard Cody Wallace (knee), tackle Ryan Harris (shin), tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle), cornerback Senquez Golson (foot), wide receiver Eli Rogers (toe), linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee), running back DeAngelo Williams (not injury related) and linebacker Jarvis Jones (ankle). On the Plus Side Practicing fully on Wednesday were wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (shoulder), linebacker Anthony Chickillo (knee), guard Ramon Foster (chest), and fullback Roosevelt Nix (back).
Wow, what a laundry list of injuries! Hopefully Gilbert's injury isn't serious, but that wouldn't be the Steelers' luck. They are getting awfully thin at a few spots...hanging onto Golson's roster spot is getting harder and harder!
This is starting to enter statistically improbable / ridiculously bad luck area again. What the what?
The real plus side here is that so far, knock wood, most of these injuries are of the short term variety and the players will/should return at some point. These aren't IR type injuries. So that is promising, but it makes it tough to sort through the roster. For example, based on the list above, if you include Gilbert as not being available this weekend, right now we only have 45 potential players who will dress for the game and we are allowed 46. I have never heard of a team going into a game with one less dressed player than they are allowed, so I would expect a roster move of some kind. The obvious one is Gilbert to IR if his knee injury is serious, then sign another CB, likely Al-Hajj Shabazz from the PS because he's the only guy familiar with the system who could play in a pinch. If they figure Gilbert could potentially return at some point, then it gets really complicated!
Think Wallace is a guy that is likely for IR as well and they'd bring up the OL from the practice squad. Thats dependent on How Marcus Gilbert is doing this week. I believe I read he went through a full practice so thats promising. Haven't heard how serious the Harris injury, but I believe he's day to day.
Hubbard is the next man up. Like I said earlier, the Steelers mostlikely will add a blocking TE to that side. Also, R. Nix was full go, he a good blocking FB. I'm sure Haley and Ben will game plan around that sides weakness. I hope Decastro has been going to Harrison gym with him.
Is it me? Or do all the teams seem to have quite a few personnel injuries this year compared to years past?
