Steelers/NFL
Good & Bad news on injury front
Defensive end Aaron Smith had surgery on Monday to repair a particial torn triceps but Smith will not be placed on injured reserve.
He will be sidelined for an extended period but head coach Mike Tomlin said that the team will wait it out and are hopeful that Aaron can return at somepoint this season.
“We are gonna wait out Aaron Smith return, ” Tomlin said today.
There’s some optimism that Smith could return by mid-to-late December. Returning in 7-to-8 weeks remains a possibility, according to a league source close to the situation.
Overall there was some good and bad news on the injury front today.
The good news is that the Steelers expect starting right tackle Flozell Adams to play this week against New Orleans. Tomlin said today that Adams is doing pretty well after suffering a low ankle sprain against Miami. Tomlin doesn’t expect him to miss any action.
Losing Adams would be a significant blow for the Steelers O-line as Adams has been an under-rated force in the Steelers rushing attack this season.
Another bright spot is that right guard Trai Essex will be ready to return to the lineup this week. Tomlin wasn’t ready to commit to Essex starting but Doug Legursky’s performance last week has opened the door for Essex to push for his starting spot back.
Tomlin said he will let it play out this week in practice.
The somewhat bad news on the injury front for this week is the status of Brett Keisel and LaMarr Woodley for this week.
At this juncture, both are regarded as “iffy” for this week. Tomlin said both will be limited but he’s hopeful both can play but no guarantees at this point. Both players have hamstring injuries.
With Aaron Smith out, the Steelers are not likely to rush Keisel back. Woodley’s injury is not considered serious but it’s an injury that could keep him out for a week or two.
