The clock is ticking towards Thursday night's epic Steeler-Panther clash, but there will be one key member of the Black and Gold sitting out.
Troy Polamalu, who missed the Jets game on Sunday and was rumored to miss the remainder of the regular season, had given some hope that he might be available for the upcoming game against Carolina. Alas, he did not practice on Tuesday, which virtually assures he will be merely a long-haired spectator on Thursday. Ryan Mundy (also known as "Ryan Monday", according to Jim Nantz) is expected to start in Polamalu's place.
In other Steeler injury news, Heath Miller looks like he's ready to return after missing two games with post-concussion symptoms, which means we probably won't see Matt Spaeth getting targeted nine times this week. Dang.
DE Aaron Smith will once again be absent (triceps), and WR Arnaz Battle did not practice on Tuesday (chest). OT Trai Essex, who took the spot of Jonathan Scott on Sunday, will probably get the start there this week.
Sans Polamalu and Smith, the Steelers are still 14-point favorites for this one. Carolina has been ravaged by injuries this season, with 13 players currently on IR including QB Matt Moore, RB DeAngelo Williams, LB Dan Connor, and former Pitt standout OT Jeff Otah, and this week is no different.
Starting OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (knee), starting FB Tony Fiammetta (ankle), and starting RT Garry Williams (knee) have been limited in practice this week, as well as DB Chris Gamble (ankle) and DE Tyler Brayton (hip). Fortunately, Brian St. Pierre is in tip-top shape should the Steelers eat Jimmy Clausen alive at any given point in the game.
Starting OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (knee), starting FB Tony Fiammetta (ankle), and starting RT Garry Williams (knee) have been limited in practice this week, as well as DB Chris Gamble (ankle) and DE Tyler Brayton (hip). Fortunately, Brian St. Pierre is in tip-top shape should the Steelers eat Jimmy Clausen alive at any given point in the game.
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11 comments:
Well, at least he'll be healthy for the first round wildcard game they'll be playing in.
Yeah, this Steelers team that has made the playoffs despite playing the first 4 games without it's franchise 2x SB winning QB absolutely sucks.
I don't know how anyone can cheer for them or why you would have any faith in this team. If you are anything other than a pessimist who only predicts gloom and doom and complains about the team after every game, win or lose, then you are an unrealistic homer and stupid for not just quitting on the team.
I can't believe I even live in the city that these underachievers respresent. I mean, 10-4? come on! They have a chance to go 12-4, and a very good chance, and that is clearly not good enough. The only way anybody should ever be happy is if the Steelers go 19-0, win every game 56-0, allow ZERO yards on defense, score a touchdown on every single drive, and never miss a tackle or have a negative play. And then some people would still bitch.
Sorry Burress, but I don't think without Troy they can win the next two games and get a first round bye, regardless of who they're playing. Baltimore however, is playing well enough to win the next two and the division.
Like I said though, I'd rather they go on the road anyway as home field has meant nothing to them this season.
Besides; like I've always said, it isn't about the wins and losses. It's about they way they play and if I was comfortable enough with they way they've been playing as a team, minus the couple of big plays by Troy and a few others, I wouldn't be pissed off after a game even after a win.
They've been getting by on the skin of their teeth over the past few weeks and that won't cut it. Plus, now we have the almost forgotten bad special teams play starting to show up again, so where exactly do you want me to hang my hat on this team right now other than they still seem to be able to stop the run?
the steelers WILL beat the panthers tomorrow night...
I don't want Polamalu playing until the playoffs. If they can't beat Carolina and Cleveland without him, then so be it. He needs to be healthy when the games are win or go home.
The Steelers look no better/worse than any other team in the AFC right now (NE being the exception).
It's Carolina and the Not-So-Browns! Not to sound like Icarus flying too close to the sun, but I like the odds of winning both those games even if Batch were under center. It's a good calculated risk. If we drop one, then so be it. We'll have a healthy Troy and play our way through the playoffs.
@Steve- Burress is right regarding fans like you. You are why I can't listen to sportstalk in this town. You have every right to feel unconfident, however you actually said: "like I've always said, it isn't about the wins and losses". Earth to Steve, it actually IS about the wins and the losses. This is not gymnastics or figure skating where the judges make the difference. It's not American Idol or some dancing show where the fans can call in to "save" a contestant. It is the NFL. 10-4 is 10-4. This team's past performance has no impact on their next game.
I am glad to know though, that if you are happy with the full performance then you "wouldn't be pissed off after a game even after a win". That is big of you. As a fan and all.
poop
These next two games, against teams this terrible, shouldn't have to depend on troy. Steve you really think our Defense, one that has only given up 10, 7, and 13 points the last three games, is going to let Jimmy Clausen and Colt Mccoy beat us? We have other good players on that side of the ball, sheesh, one game without troy or a forced turnover and negative jerks like you start coming out of the woodwork. The jets are a good team. We had our chances, and didnt execute. It happens. Id like our chances in a rematch, even without Troy.
Why is everybody putting the onus on the defense? There are other ways than Troy-made turnovers to get 7 points. This is a perfect two game stretch to wake our offense out of its slumber and give them some confidence going into the playoffs. These teams are BAD....
Good point by Jerrykid. The loss to the Jets is on the Offense, not the troyless DEF.
Let's all calm down a little bit, if we can't beat a 2-12 team with 13 players on IR without Troy, then i wouldn't get too excited about the playoffs anyway. Let alone worry about our seeding.
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