Steelers/NFL
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a history under Kevin Colbert of bringing back former players.
Will Keenan Lewis be the latest one?
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The Steelers brought Lewis in for a two-day visit to the Southside complex to explore a potential signing. Lewis visited with the Steelers on Wednesday for about five hours.
He was thoroughly examined by the Steelers medical staff with the major area of concern being a hip/hernia injury.
Lewis, 30, was released by the New Orleans Saints last week reportedly due to concerns about a hip injury, though, Lewis says the reason for the release is that he didn’t get along with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
However, the Steelers are also with the Saints in believing that Lewis won’t be ready to play for the start of the season.
Appearing in just six games last season, Lewis is most likely going to have to wait things out for a few weeks.
The Steelers have informed the Lewis camp they don’t plan to consider signing Lewis at this time, but will consider a signing after Week 1.
Steelers doctors believe the best case scenario is Lewis would be ready to play around week four or week five.
With the start of the regular season less than three weeks away, Pittsburgh has a major hole at cornerback with top pick Artie Burns not healthy nor ready to contribute early in the season as he is a bit of a project and second round pick Sean Davis figures to have his share of ups and downs.
Injuries have slowed the first team defense fully getting on the field together in practices and the preseason.
Linebackers Bud Dupree and Jarvis Jones have been limited by injuries. Jones will play vs the Saints, while Dupree will sit out again due to injury.
The Steelers and agent Drew Rosenhaus are in the process of finalizing a renegotiated contract for Antonio Brown in a similar setup of what the team did last year in taking $2 million of Brown’s 2016 salary and giving it to him in 2015. It will get done by end of the month.
— Another development for the Steelers this week is Senquez Golson’s mid-foot sprain is more in the three month range than the reported four month range.
“I’ll definitely be back this year,” Golson said on Tuesday via the PG. “I’m thinking sometime in November . For sure by the end of November, I’ll be full-speed.”
What dogs Golson’s chances of suiting up this season is the fact that he’s only had 1 1/2 full padded NFL practices on his resume.
Even with this secondary, still hard to imagine a likely playoff team throwing Golson out there in late November or December.
— The Vince Williams three year extension doesn’t mean a decision has been made that 2016 will be Lawrence Timmons last season in Pittsburgh, team sources insist.
Williams received backup money and the Williams extension was more about just solidifying depth at the position long-term.
— Some Depth Chart Developments….
— The Steelers are planning to prepare for their primary three-receiver sets to consist of Antonio Brown – Markus Wheaton – Eli Rogers when they open the season in Washington.
— Robert Golden has locked down the starting strong safety spot.
— Ross Cockrell who is drawing rave reviews in camp, has locked down a starting cornerback job with Artie Burns unable to even stay on the practice field.[/hide]
